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AST301 Hour Exam #1 Terms (Part 3)
N/A
23
Astronomy
Undergraduate 1
02/09/2011

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Term
Angular diameter
Definition
The angular diameter or apparent size of an object as seen from a given position is the “visual diameter” of the object measured as an angle.
Term
Annular eclipse
Definition
An eclipse during which the Moon is directly in front of the Sun but its angular size is not large enough to fully block the Sun; thus, a ring of sunlight is still visible around the Moon's disk
Term
Axial tilt
Definition
The amount by which a planet's axis is tilted with respect to a line perpendicular to the ecliptic plane
Term
Celestial sphere
Definition
The imaginary sphere on which objects in the sky appear to reside when observed from Earth
Term
Constellation
Definition
A region of the sky; 88 official constellations cover the celestial sphere
Term
Ecliptic
Definition
The Sun's apparent annual path among the constellations
Term
Energy
Definition
Broadly speaking, energy is what can make matter move. The three basic types of energy are kinetic, potential, and radiative
Term
Escape velocity
Definition
The speed necessary for an object to completely escape the gravity of a large body such as a moon, planet, or star
Term
Geocentric model
Definition
Any of the ancient Greek models that were used to predict planetary positions under the assumption that Earth lay in the center of the universe
Term
Heliocentric model
Definition
Sun-Centered Model. Initiated by Copernicus, this model was based on the idea that the planets are in orbit around the Sun rather than the Earth
Term
Kinetic energy
Definition
Energy of motion, given by the formula 1/2mv^2
Term
Lookback time
Definition
The amount of time that has passed since the light we see from a distant object was emitted
Term
Momentum
Definition
The product of an object's mass and velocity
Term
North Celestial Pole (NCP)
Definition
The point on the celestial sphere directly above the Earth's North Pole
Term
Perihelion
Definition
The point at which an object orbiting the Sun is closest to the Sun
Term
Potential energy
Definition
Energy stored for later conversion into kinetic energy
Term
Rest-mass energy
Definition
The concept that the mass of a body is a measure of its energy content
Term
Rotation (spin on axis)
Definition
The spinning of an object around its axis
Term
Solar eclipse
Definition
Eclipse that occurs when the Moon's shadow falls on the Earth, which can occur only at new moon; may be partial, total, or annular
Term
Synodic month
Definition
The time required for a complete cycle of lunar phases, which averages about 29.5 days
Term
Synodic period
Definition
the time between two consecutive appearances of a body at the same point in the sky relative to the Sun as seen from the Earth
Term
Tides
Definition
Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined effects of the rotation of the Earth and the gravitational forces exerted by the Moon and the Sun
Term
Zenith
Definition
The point directly overhead, which has an altitude of 90 degrees
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