astronomy & calendars
Describe the difference between geocentric and heliocentric thought?
geocentric, the earth is the center of the universe
heliocentric, the sun is the center of the universe
What do optical telescopes use to magnify images?
- reflective light rays
What three things make up our solar system?
- planets
- asteroids
- comets
What is a sun prominence?
- fiery bursts of gas exploding from the sun's surface
Define rotation
when the earth spins on its axis
How did ancient civilizations tell time?
the sundial
Who created the first telescope?
Galileo
What are the three requirements to be a planet?
- spherical shape
- create their own orbit around the sun
- circle the sun
What makes sunspots?
when convection zones slowdown in certain areas, sunspots appear in colder regions of the sun
define revolution
the movement of a planet around the sun
What did Isaac Newton Discover?
- gravity pulls planets in orbit around the sun
What are the problems with telescopes? list three
- they cannot all see every type of light
- they can be affected by weather
- light can hit pollution or particles in the air and distort the image
What is the difference between a gas planet and a rocky planet
terrestrial planet: rocky, warmer, little moons
gas planet: no surface area, far away from the sun and cooler, many moons
How does the sun produce heat?
nuclear fission: the splitting of hydrogen atoms radiates heat and energy
What force causes planets to orbit the sun? Who discovered it>
gravity, Sir Isaac Newton
What calendar did ancient civilizations use?
Lunar Calendar: based on the phases of the moon
What are the two types of optical telescopes: what are the difference between the two
- reflective: uses series of mirrors
- refractive: uses series of lenses
Where are most asteroids located?
between Mars and Jupiter in the asteroid belt
What causes the northern or southern lights
- explosions of light bands from the sun interact with light particles in the earth's atmosphere
Would Earth or Jupiter move around the sun faster?
earth
What calendar do we use now, who made changes to it?
solar calendar: based on how long it takes to circle the sun
- improved upon by Julius Ceaser
What are nonoptical telescopes: list three types
- telescopes that use things other than light to magnify images
- radiowaves
- UV light
- Xray light
- Gamma Rays
What is the difference between an asteroid and a comet?
asteroid: made of rock
comet: made of ice
List the layers of the sun from inner to outer
core
radiative
convective
photosphere
list Johannes Kepler's three laws
1. planets travel in ovals around the sun
2. planets spin faster when they are closer to the sun.
3. the time it takes for a revolution is related to the distance a planet is from the sun