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Mr. G.'s Stars and Galaxies #1
Vocabulary for Stars and Gal.
45
Science
9th Grade
01/30/2008

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Cards

Term
Describe the Big Bang Theory
Definition
Implosion of concentrated matter and energy.
Term
Define Blue Shift
Definition
When celestial bodies move toward each other, the electromagnetic waves are bunched together, resulting in a blue shift Doppler effect.
Term
Define Celestial Object
Definition
any object in the universe outside of Earth's atmosphere, including moons, comets, plants, stars and galaxies.
Term
Define Doppler Effect
Definition
the apparent wavelength shifting of electromagnetic energy.
Term
Elliptical Galaxy
Definition
Football shaped galaxy.
Term
Define Galaxy
Definition
the large groupings of millions or billions of stars and other forms of mass held together by gravitation; our galaxy is called the Milky Way.
Term
Define Gravitation
Definition
an attractive force that exists between any two objects in the universe.
Term
Describe Irregular Galaxy
Definition
no orderly shape, less common than the other galaxies, closest to the Milky Way Galaxy.
Term
Define Luminosity
Definition
The actual brightness of a star.
Term
Define Milky Way Galaxy
Definition
A spiral shaped galaxy which has over 200 billion stars, our solar system is part of this galaxy.
Term
Define Nuclear Fusion
Definition
The combining of the nuclei of smaller elements to form the nuclei of larger elements with some of the mass beng converted into energy.
Term
Define Red Shift
Definition
When celestial bodies move apart, the electromagnetic waves spread out causing a red shift Doppler effect.
Term
Define Star
Definition
A large ball of gas held together by gravity that produces tremendous amounts of energy and shines.
Term
Define Universe
Definition
Everything that exists in any place - all the space, matter, and energy in existence.
Term
Name 3 Galaxy types.
Definition
Ellipitical, Irregular , and Spiral
Term
Which type of galaxy contains very little dust and gas?
Definition
Ellipitical Galaxy.
Term
Which Galaxy has no orderly shape?
Definition
Irregular Galaxy
Term
Which type of Galaxy is shaped like a pinwheel and has huge spiral arms?
Definition
Spiral Galaxy.
Term
Which shift moves away from the Earth...blue or red?
Definition
Red Shift
Term
Which shift moves toward the Earth...red or blue?
Definition
Blue Shift
Term
Which shift supports the Big Bang Theory?
Definition
Red shift - moving away from Earth - supports the Big Bang Theory.
Term
How many contellations are in the Northern Hemisphere?
Definition
88 constellations.
Term
What makes up a constellation?
Definition
A pattern of stars.
Term
What causes constellations to move?
Definition
Constellations change position with the seasons because the Earth revolves around the Sun.
Term
What is the other name for the North Star?
Definition
Polaris.
Term
What is the difference between an astronomical unit (Au) and a light year?
Definition
An Au = 150 million km; Light year = the time it takes light to travel in one year.
Term
When did the Big Bang occur?
Definition
15 to 20 billion years ago.
Term
What type of Galaxy is our solar system located in? And what is our Galaxy called?
Definition
Spiral Galazy called the Milky Way Galaxy.
Term
What are the different types of stars?
Definition
1. Red Giants;
2. Super Giants;
3. Dwarf Stars
Term
What causes the daily motion of the stars around Polaris (North Star)?
Definition
The Earth rotates on it's axis.
Term
What color are the coolest stars?
Definition
Red.
Term
What color are the warmest stars?
Definition
Blue.
Term
Which star classification contains about 90% of all stars?
Definition
Main sequence stars.
Term
What group of stars does our Sun belong to?
Definition
Main sequence stars.
Term
What is the luminosity of a star that has a temperature of 6000 degrees C?
Definition
approx. 100.
Term
Which is brighter: a white dwarf or blue supergiant? Explain.
Definition
Super giant because both the absolute magnitude and the luminosity are highest for supergiant stars.
Term
What is absolute magnitude?
Definition
The brightness of a star if placed the same distance from Earth as other stars.
Term
What evidence do we use to prove the Big Bang Theory?
Definition
The background radiation or left over energy from the implosion.
Term
What is the explosion of a massive star at the end of it's life called?
Definition
Term
List in order of size from smallest to largest: Sun, Universe, Milky Way Galaxy, Solar System?
Definition
Sun, Solar System, Milky Way Galaxy, Universe.
Term
Where in the galaxy are stars born?
Definition
Stars are born in the nebulae.
Term
Name the only star in the sky to remain stationary as the other stars go around it?
Definition
Polaris aka the North Star.
Term
Based on the Red Shift, the universe is currently expanding or contracting?
Definition
Expanding.
Term
Which Doppler shift shows a lengthening of wavelength?
Definition
Red Shift.
Term
Which Doppler shift shows a shortening of wavelengths?
Definition
Blue shift.
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