Celestial Objects
Where do most comets originate?
Oort Cloud
What is the ecliptic?
The apparent path the sun (and planets) appears to move against the star background.
List the different colors of stars in order from coolest to hottest.
red, yellow, blue
What is a supernova?
The result of the an explosion of a super giant.
What is the main difference between meteoroids and asteroids?
Their size. Asteroids are larger.
In what direction does the earth turn?
west to east
What type of star is our sun?
Our sun is a yellow dwarf, main sequence star
What reaction that occurs on the inside of stars that gives it energy?
Nuclear fusion supplies the energy for stars. Combination of hydrogen and helium
List the 8 steps of the life cycle of a massive star.
1st three steps are similar
Super Giant
Super Nova
Neutron Star / Pulsar
Black Hole
What is the difference between a meteoroid, meteorite, and meteor?
Meteoroid = while in space a meteorite is
called a meteoroid
Meteor = as it is burning up in our
atmosphere
Meteorite = a small rock or rocky grain that
strikes Earth’s surface
Orion contains what TWO major stars?
Betelguese and Rigel
What are the three types of exceptional Dwarfs?
White, brown, black
What is the difference between apparent magnitude and absolute magnitude?
Absolute-Measure of the amount of light it actually gives off if all stars were placed a distance of 32.6 light years away
Apparent- A measure of the amount of light received on Earth
Where do meteors come from?
Pieces of rock that broke off other objects in space.
Fill in the Blank
The further _________ the observer lives, the _______ circumpolar stars will appear.
North, more
What are Eclipsing Binary Stars? Why do they vary in brightness?
Two close stars that appear to be a single star varying in brightness. The variation in brightness is due to one star moving in front of or behind the other star.
What is the size range of asteroids?
Can range from 10 ft across to the size of a mountain range.
Give 3 examples of circumpolar constellations:
Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia, Draco, Cephus
List the 7 Steps of the life cycle of a medium mass star.
Nebula
Protostar
New/Stable State Star AKA main sequence
Red Giant
Planetary Nebula
White Dwarf
Black Dwarf