Exploring Space
What is the definition of a celestial object?
Any object beyond the earth's atmosphere (anything out in space!)
What is the difference between Earth's revolution and its rotation?
Earth's revolution is its journey (orbit) around the Sun. Its rotation is when the Earth spins on its axis
What is a constellation?
A group of stars forming a recognizable pattern
What occured 13.6 billion years ago?
The Big Bang
What is a solar eclipse?
When the moon aligns between the Sun and Earth
24 hours for one rotation and 365 days for one revolution
What is another name for the "north star"?
Polaris
Where is our solar system located (what galaxy)?
The Milky Way galaxy
Why do we only see one side of the moon?
The moon rotates and revolves at the same pace (once every 27.3 days) so we only see one side of the moon at all times from earth
Various answers: puffy head/ face and skinny legs, vision changes, weakened immune system, decreased bone density, etc.
What did people believe about the earth many many years ago (geocentric model)?
That the earth is at the center of our solar system (everything revolves around the earth) ... now we know this is not true!
Where are stars "born" (the beginning of a stars life cycle)?
Nebula (cloud of gas and dust)
What does the moon's gravity affect on earth?
The ocean tides (the parts of earth that are closest AND farthest away from the moon experience high tide)
Jovian: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
A satellite is an object that orbits another larger object. For example, the Moon is a satellite of Earth!
What is the explosive death of a star called?
A supernova
What is red shift?
When light from galaxies shift towards the red end of the spectrum. This means they are moving away from our galaxy
What are solar prominences?
Streams of glowing gas that arch into space and return back to the sun
Why is Pluto not a planet?
It does not dominate its orbit or "clear its neighbourhood"
What is one reason our Earth has the perfect relationship with the Sun?
It is the perfect distance (not too hot or too cold); it has a magnetic field, it has an atmosphere
Do stars actually move? Explain why this is both true and false
What is the difference between dark matter and dark energy?
Dark matter is what is holding the universe together (invisible mass) compared to dark energy which is a force actively pushing parts of the universe apart (like an anti-gravity!)
How does the sun produce its own energy?