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Astronomy 1013
final exam flsh cards
25
Astronomy
Undergraduate 1
05/02/2009

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Cards

Term
What is the ecliptic plane?
Definition
The plane of the Earth’s orbit around the Sun
Term
The annual motion of the sun relative to the stars is:
Definition
from west to east
Term
When we look at an object that is 1/00 light-years away, we see it:
Definition
As it was 1,000 years ago
Term
The cause of the diurnal motion of the stars is the
Definition
Earth’s rotation about its axis.
Term
At the summer solstice in San Antonio, the Sun sets:
Definition
At its northern-most point on the western horizon.
Term
The precession of the earth’s rotation axis
Definition
-Is a slow wobble that takes 26,000 years to complete.
-Means that in AD 14,000, Vega will be a pole star
Term
How long does it take the Earth to complete one orbit around the Sun?
Definition
1 year
Term
When did humans learn (by a consistent model) that the Earth is not at the center of the universe?
Definition
Within the past 600 years
Term
Seasons on the earth are caused by:
Definition
-the tilt of the earth’s rotation axis with respect to its orbit.
Term
If you counts one number every second, how long would it take you to count to one trillion?
Definition
about 32,000 years.
Term
An annular eclipse is:
Definition
-a solar eclipse that looks like a ring of light.
Term
The phase of the moon during a lunar eclipse is
Definition
full
Term
Under the new definition of a planet issued by the IAU, the reason that Pluto was demoted to Dwarf Planet status was because:
Definition
it has not cleared its orbit
Term
Suppose its full moon. What phase of the earth would someone on the moon see at this time?
Definition
new earth
Term
The highest point in the sky is called the:
Definition
zenith
Term
Planet usually move with respect to the background stars:
Definition
in a slow eastward motion.
Term
If we have a new moon today, when we will have the next full moon?
Definition
in about 2 weeks
Term
Where will a superior planet in retrograde motion rise?
Definition
in the east (just like everything else in the sky).
Term
You are standing at the earth’s North Pole. Which direction is Polaris, the North Star?
Definition
Nearly overhead.
Term
If the moon is rising at about 7 am, the phase of the Moon must be:
Definition
New (or nearly new)
Term
Stellar parallax is:
Definition
-a natural consequence of a heliocentric model.
-the apparent angular shift of nearby stars relative to further ones.
Term
What happens during the apparent retrograde motion of a planet?
Definition
The planet appears to move westward with respect to the stars over a period of many nights.
Term
The geocentric model was unable to explain:
a. the apparent lack of motion of the earth.
b. the daily motion of the stars.
c. the annual motion of the sun.
c. all of the above
e. none of the above (it could explain all of them.)
Definition
e. none of the above (it could explain all of them.)
Term
which of the following has your “cosmic address” in the correct order?
Definition
You, Earth, solar system, Milky Way, Local group, Local Supercluster.
Term
_________ is when a planet is directly between the earth and Sun.
Definition
Inferior conjunction
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