Astronomy Quiz on Tycho Brahe and Kepler

A celestial object that suddenly and temporarily increases in brightness, often appearing as a new star.

The degree to which an ellipse deviates from a perfect circle. It's essentially a measure of how 'squished' the ellipse is.

A type of orbit where the Sun is at one focus of the ellipse, the planet's path is not circular but oval shaped.

One of the three laws of planetary motion discovered by Johannes Kepler; it states that the orbits of planets around the Sun are ellipses, not circles.

German astronomer known for his three laws of planetary motion, derived from Tycho Brahe's extensive astronomical observations.

Danish astronomer known for his precise astronomical observations, particularly of the planets, paving the way for Kepler's laws.

Tiny unit of angular measure; one sixtieth of a degree.

The difference between the observed position of a planet and the position predicted by a model.

A measure of how elongated an elliptical orbit is. A value close to 0 indicates a nearly circular orbit, while a value close to 1 indicates a highly elongated orbit.

The point in an orbit where the celestial body is furthest from the Sun.

The point in an orbit where the celestial body is closest to the Sun.

The line connecting the planet to the Sun sweeps out equal areas in equal amounts of time.

Planets move faster at perihelion and slower at aphelion, to maintain the same area swept out in equal time.

A comet spends most of its time far from the Sun, at its aphelion.

The average of the distances between the planet and the Sun at its perihelion and aphelion.

More distant planets orbit the Sun at slower average speeds, with the relationship between orbital period (P) and semi-major axis (a): P² = a³

The semi-major axis (a) of an elliptical orbit is half the longest distance across the ellipse.

The orbital period (P) is the time it takes for a planet to complete one full orbit around the Sun.

Kepler's Third Law only holds true when the mass of the star is the same as the Sun's mass.

Any object, regardless of its mass, orbiting the Sun with the same semi-major axis will have the same orbital period.

If Earth is replaced by a dust particle, it will continue to orbit the Sun in the same orbit and time as Earth.

An asteroid with a semi-major axis of 7.2 AU will have a longer orbital period than Earth, taking more than 1 year to orbit the Sun.

An asteroid with an orbital period of 12.85 years has a semi-major axis that is greater than Earth's.

The principle that when presented with multiple explanations for the same phenomenon, the simplest one is likely to be correct.

A prediction that can be tested through experiments or observations, allowing scientists to gather evidence that either supports or refutes the prediction.

A prediction that can be proven false through experiments or observations. This ability to be disproven is crucial for scientific progress.

Explaining observed phenomena using only natural causes, avoiding reliance on myths, magic, or supernatural explanations.

A process of developing and testing models of nature to explain observations as simply as possible. It involves proposing explanations, making predictions, and designing experiments to validate or refute those explanations.

The creation of models that explain observed phenomena and make testable predictions. These models can evolve as new information becomes available.

The process of gathering data, analyzing results, and revising or rejecting scientific models based on evidence. Progress in science occurs through this ongoing process of hypothesis testing and refinement.

Statements that can be evaluated by comparing them to actual data or observations. For a statement to be testable, it must be possible to collect evidence that either supports or refutes it.

The ability of a scientific model or theory to be proven wrong by evidence.

A scientific model that explains a broad range of observations and consistently predicts accurate results.

Personal opinions, beliefs, or experiences that can influence scientific observations and interpretations.

The practice of sharing scientific results and data openly among fellow researchers for review and scrutiny.

A collection of knowledge and theories in a specific field, constantly evolving and expanding.

A scientific model that explains a specific phenomenon, but may be later modified or replaced as new evidence emerges.

A systematic error in an experiment that makes it likely to obtain a particular result.

A collection of beliefs or practices that are commonly mistaken to be scientific but lack scientific foundation.

Repeated experiments to validate results and reduce the impact of bias.

A scientific explanation that is based on observations after an event has occurred, rather than predictions made beforehand.

The tendency to use scientific terms incorrectly, giving a false impression of scientific validity.

The inability of a theory or claim to be revised or abandoned when evidence contradicts it.

The ability of a theory to make predictions that can be tested.

The use of scientific-sounding explanations to appeal to people who are interested in a particular topic.