Inferior Planets
This is the brightest inferior planet.
Venus
List the superior planets in order
Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
This is when two celestial bodies lie in the same line of sight
conjunction
This is a close approach of two or more planets
planetary conjunction
Who is the often called the "father of modern astronomy"?
Galileo
What is one fact about Mercury?
answers vary
What are two facts about Jupiter?
orbit is 12 years
has many moons
Can inferior and superior conjunctions be viewed? Why or why not?
No
The sun's glare
This occurs when the Moon closely approaches a star or planet
lunar conjunction
Describe the symbols of three planets
answers vary
This is when an inferior planet is between the Sun and Earth.
inferior conjunction
This is when a superior planet is on the opposite side of Earth from the Sun
opposition
What are two conjunctions that can be viewed?
lunar and planetary conjunctions
Describe lunar occultation
When the moon passes in front of and hides a planet or star.
Where did Father Angelo Secchi build his telescope and observatory?
on a church in Rome
This is the point when an inferior planet is on the opposite side of the Sun from Earth
Superior conjunction
This is the point when a superior planet is on the opposite side of the Sun from Earth
superior conjunction (or conjunction)
Describe retrograde motion
As a planet approaches opposition, it appears to stop and then change directions
Choose a planet (besides Earth) and tell how long it takes for it to orbit the Sun.
Mercury 88 days
Venus 225 days
Mars 2.5 yrs
Jupiter 12 yrs
Saturn 30 yrs
What are the "wandering stars" and why were they called that?
wandering stars - planets, Sun, and Moon
They appeared like stars that move in relation to the "fixed stars"
At what time of day can Mercury and Venus be viewed? Why?
around sunrise and sunset
they're near the Sun
When is the best time to view a superior planet? Why?
opposition
closest and brightest
Describe the best time to view an inferior planet
greatest elongation or distance from the Sun
Name 3 of the 4 stars lie along the ecliptic and can be a part of lunar or planetary conjunctions.
Regulus, Spica, Antares, Aldebaran
What are 4 observations that Galileo made with his telescope?
Moon's craters, Jupiter's moons, Venus' phases, Saturn's rings, sunspots, Milky Way stars