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Astronomy Definitions
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38
Astronomy
12th Grade
02/03/2011

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Term
Altitude
Definition
How many degrees above the horizon it is  (0° to 90°)
Term
Annular Eclipse
Definition
When the Moon is lined up with the Sun, a bright right will be visible around the Moon
Term
Aphelion
Definition
When Earth is farthest from the Sun, it moves the slowes
Term
Autumnal Equinox
Definition
The Sun crosses the celestial equator moving southward around September 22
Term
Azimuth
Definition
How many degrees along the horizon it is and corresponds to the compass direction
Term
Celestial Equator
Definition
An imaginary circle around the sky directly above the Earth's equator
Term
Celestial Sphere
Definition
An imaginary sphere surrounding Earth
Term
Circumpolar
Definition
Stars within an angular distance from the NCP equal to the observer's latitude
Term
Declination
Definition
Latitude lines that are projected onto the sky
Term
Ecliptic
Definition
The yearly path of the Sun through the stars
Term
Equation Of Time
Definition
Explains why, according to your clock, the earliest sunset and latest sunrise is not at the winter solstice
Term
Latitude
Definition
Number of degrees north and south
Term
Local Noon
Definition
When the Sun is at it's highest point based on your position
Term
Longitude
Definition
Number of degrees east and west
Term
Lunar Eclipse
Definition
When the Earth covers the Moon
Term
Mean Sun
Definition
A fictional Sun
Term
Meridian
Definition
The arc that goes through the north point on the horizon, zenith, and south point on the horizon
Term
North And South Celestial Poles
Definition
The points in the sky directly above the geographic north and south pole
Term
Penumbra
Definition
The region of partial shadow
Term
Perihelion
Definition
When Earth is closest to the Sun, it moves the quickest
Term
Precession
Definition
When the Sun's vernal equinox point slowly shifts westward over time
Term
Refracts
Definition
Bends
Term
Retrograde Motion
Definition
When a planet is moving backward
Term
Right Ascension
Definition
Longitude lines that are projected onto the sky
Term
Season
Definition
Spring and Fall based on the equinoxes
Term
Sidereal Day
Definition
How the stars move around the Earth in 23 hours 56 minutes
Term
Sidereal Period
Definition
When the Moon returns to the same position with respect to the background stars every 27.323 days
Term
Sidereal Year
Definition
The time required for the constellations to complete one 360° cycle around the sky and to return to their original point on our sky
Term
Solar Day
Definition
The Sun moving from noon to noon in 24 hours
Term
Solar Eclipse
Definition
When the Moon covers up the Sun
Term
Summer solstice
Definition
The farthest northern point above the celestial equator
Term
Synodic Period
Definition
From new moon to new moon
Term
Time Zones
Definition
Different 15° regions where each section has the same time
Term
Tropical Year
Definition
The time interval between two successive vernal equinoxes
Term
Umbra
Definition
The region of total shadow
Term
Vernal Equinox
Definition
The Sun crosses the celestial equator moving northward around March 21
Term
Winter Solstice
Definition
The farthest southern point above the celestial equator
Term
Zenith
Definition
The point straight overhead on the celestial sphere for any observer
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