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Questions and Answers
What are constellations?
A group of stars forming a recognizable pattern traditionally named after its apparent form or a mythological figure.
What is the equatorial system used for?
Describing the position of objects outside the solar system.
What does declination represent?
The angular distance of a point north or south of the celestial equator.
What is right ascension?
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What does rotation refer to in astronomy?
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What is revolution in an astronomical context?
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What is axial precession?
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What is a mean solar day?
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What defines a sidereal day?
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What is perihelion?
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What is aphelion?
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What is the ecliptic?
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What does the plane of the ecliptic refer to?
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What is a synodic month?
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What is a sidereal month?
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What are the phases of the moon?
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What is a solar eclipse?
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What is a lunar eclipse?
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Study Notes
Constellations
- Groups of stars that form recognizable patterns, often named after their appearance or mythological figures.
- The sky is divided into eighty-eight constellations with established boundaries.
Equatorial System
- The primary system used in astronomy to describe the positions of objects outside the solar system.
- Compared to altazimuth and ecliptic coordinate systems.
Declination
- Represents the angular distance of a celestial point north or south of the celestial equator.
Right Ascension
- Measures distance east of the First Point of Aries along the celestial equator.
- Expressed in hours, minutes, and seconds.
Rotation
- Describes the action of an astronomical body rotating around its axis or center.
Revolution
- Indicates an instance of an object revolving around another body, such as a planet around the sun.
Axial Precession
- A gradual, continuous change in the orientation of an astronomical body's rotational axis due to gravitational forces.
Mean Solar Day
- The average time between successive passages of the mean sun across a given meridian.
Sidereal Day
- The time interval between two consecutive transits of the First Point of Aries.
- Shorter than a solar day by almost four minutes, accounting for Earth's orbital motion.
Perihelion
- The point in an orbit where a celestial body (planet, asteroid, comet) is closest to the sun.
Aphelion
- The point in an orbit where a celestial body is farthest from the sun.
Ecliptic
- The apparent path of the sun across the celestial sphere throughout the year.
- Lunar and solar eclipses can only occur when the moon crosses this path.
Plane of the Ecliptic
- An imaginary plane containing Earth’s orbit around the sun.
- The sun’s apparent path through the sky lies within this plane yearly.
Synodic Month
- Another term for the lunar month, the cycle of the moon's phases.
Sidereal Month
- The duration it takes for the moon to complete one full orbit around Earth relative to the stars.
- Approximately 27.25 days in length.
Phases of the Moon
- Refers to the shape of the sunlit portion of the moon as observed from Earth.
Solar Eclipse
- Occurs when the moon obscures the sun from the perspective of an observer on Earth.
Lunar Eclipse
- Happens when the moon passes into Earth’s shadow, causing it to appear darkened.
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Description
Test your knowledge with these flashcards from Chapter 21 on constellations and the equatorial system. Learn about the key concepts and definitions that shape our understanding of the night sky. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their learning in astronomy.
