Nature of Science
An explanation of a phenomenon in nature, supported by evidence and never shown to be false.
This hypothesis explained orbits as circular, with the Earth at the center of the solar system.
Geocentrism
When looking at Polaris, its angle of altitude is equivalent to your __________________.
Latitude
Why do seasons occur on a planet?
Tilt of the planets axis
Venus is often called Earth's Evil Twin. What two similarities make it like a twin?
Size and Composition
The tendency to listen to information that agrees with our beliefs and values.
Confirmation Bias
This man developed the laws of motion (of objects, not planets).
Isaac Newton
What happens to the wavelength of a wave as the energy decreases?
Wavelength increases
A cloud of gas and dust where new stars are formed (a "stellar nursery")
Nebula
What is the daytime surface temperature on Mercury?
~800 degrees F
An observation that is tested or verifiable
Fact
Who was the first person to hypothesize Heliocentrism?
Nicolaus Copernicus
Explain two ways the force of gravity would decrease between two celestial objects.
1. Increasing distance
2. Decreasing in mass
The solar system was formed from a huge cloud of dust and gas, mainly due to the process of…
Accretion
What do scientists hypothesize exist in the craters at the poles of Mercury?
Water ice
This is any practice claiming to be based on the scientific method when it is not.
Pseudoscience
A more stretched ellipse would be said to have a higher __________________.
Eccentricity
On the celestial sphere, what is equivalent to latitude?
Declination
A planet in our solar system is observed to be large, gaseous, and far from the Sun compared to other planets. This planet would be described as...
Jovian
This is the most abundant gas in Venus' atmosphere.
Carbon Dioxide
Difference between a hypothesis and a theory.
Supporting evidence, rigorous testing
State 1 of the 3 of Kepler's Laws in your own words.
1. Orbits are elliptical.
2. An orbiting object covers equal areas in equal amounts of time.
3. The further from the sun, the longer it takes an object to orbit.
The light produced from a star passing through a cooler gas would produce what type of spectra?
Absorption Spectra
List the planets in order starting at the Sun, moving outward. Include the Asteroid belt.
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Asteroid Belt, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
What is it called when we watch a planet like Venus or Mercury cross in front of the Sun?
A transit