Astronomy History
What is Astronomy?
Astronomy is the branch of Science which deals with the study of celestial objects and the physical universe
What is Astrology, and why can it be dangerous?
The study of the movement of the stars and planets interpreted as having an influence on human lives; it can make you focus more on the stars and less on the star MAKER
How many constellations are recognized today?
88
What is a supernova?
Powerful stellar explosion
Stars are mostly made up of two elements. What are they?
Hydrogen and Helium
In what year was NASA launched?
1958
What is the difference between a geocentric and heliocentric model of the universe?
Geocentric = earth centered universe; heliocentric = sun centered universe
What ARE constellations?
A recognized group of stars that form a pattern in the sky
What is an asteroid?
Small rocky body orbiting the sun (mostly between Mars and Jupiter)
What are Saturn’s rings believed to be made of?
Who was credited with the invention of the telescope? Who actually invented it?
Galileo was credited, but Hans Lippershey actually invented it
How much time does it take for light from our sun to reach us here on Earth?
8 minutes
What’s one of the practical reasons that God made the celestial bodies (like the sun, moon and stars)?
Navigation, Agriculture, Time system for us, etc.
What is a nebula?
An interstellar cloud of dust, Hydrogen, and other gases
What are planets outside our solar system called?
Exoplanets
Know about the first moon landing. When did it happen? Who was on it?
Apollo 11 – July 16-21 1969; Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Michael Collins
What is the main difference between reflecting and refracting telescopes?
Refracting uses lenses; reflecting uses mirrors
What is the name of the “North Star?”
Polaris
What are comets? What happens to them as they orbit the sun?
Frozen gases, rock, ice and dust orbiting the sun (originates in the Oort Cloud); they get smaller as they melt when they pass near the sun
What is the nearest independent galaxy to us outside of the Milky Way?
Andromeda
What did God create on each day of creation?
Day 1 – light/dark; Day 2 – separation of sky/sea; Day 3 – land and vegetation; Day 4 – sun, moon, stars, etc.; Day 5 – creatures of the sky and sea (fish and birds); Day 6 – all other land animals and humans
Identify the 3 pictures of the moon phases.
1st quarter, waning crescent, waxing gibbous
What is the order of the planets moving from the sun outward?
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
What is parallax? Define and tell the difference between high and low.
The apparent motion of an object based on the viewer’s perspective; low parallax would be like the mountains in the distance as you are driving (seems to “move” less than things closer); high parallax would be like the grass by the road as you are driving (seems to be “moving” really quickly)
What are some of the advantages of unmanned missions over manned missions?
No death, cheaper, can go further (and not return), etc.