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Questions and Answers
What phenomenon describes the gradual change in direction that Earth's axis points in space?
What phenomenon describes the gradual change in direction that Earth's axis points in space?
The Vernal Equinox marks the start of winter.
The Vernal Equinox marks the start of winter.
False
How long does one complete cycle of Earth's precession take?
How long does one complete cycle of Earth's precession take?
26,000 years
A __________ indicates the Moon is not visible because it cannot be distinguished from the Sun's light.
A __________ indicates the Moon is not visible because it cannot be distinguished from the Sun's light.
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Match the following Lunar phases with their descriptions:
Match the following Lunar phases with their descriptions:
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Which force primarily causes the precession of the Earth's axis?
Which force primarily causes the precession of the Earth's axis?
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The Moon is the second brightest object in the sky.
The Moon is the second brightest object in the sky.
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What is the tilt of Earth's rotational axis?
What is the tilt of Earth's rotational axis?
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What is the duration of a sidereal month?
What is the duration of a sidereal month?
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Lunar eclipses occur when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun.
Lunar eclipses occur when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun.
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What causes the same face of the Moon to always be visible from Earth?
What causes the same face of the Moon to always be visible from Earth?
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The __________ is the period it takes for the Moon to complete a phase cycle from New Moon to New Moon.
The __________ is the period it takes for the Moon to complete a phase cycle from New Moon to New Moon.
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Match the type of solar eclipse with its description:
Match the type of solar eclipse with its description:
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Why do solar and lunar eclipses not occur every new or full moon?
Why do solar and lunar eclipses not occur every new or full moon?
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The Saros cycle lasts approximately 18 years and 11 days.
The Saros cycle lasts approximately 18 years and 11 days.
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The period of time it takes for the Earth to make a full rotation in relation to the stars is called a __________ day.
The period of time it takes for the Earth to make a full rotation in relation to the stars is called a __________ day.
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What is the primary composition of Venus's atmosphere?
What is the primary composition of Venus's atmosphere?
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Venus has a strong magnetic field due to its rapid rotation.
Venus has a strong magnetic field due to its rapid rotation.
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What geological feature on Venus is a result of viscous molten rock creating a solid crust?
What geological feature on Venus is a result of viscous molten rock creating a solid crust?
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The surface of Venus experiences a strong __________ effect due to its dense atmosphere.
The surface of Venus experiences a strong __________ effect due to its dense atmosphere.
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What phenomenon occurs in the upper atmosphere of Venus?
What phenomenon occurs in the upper atmosphere of Venus?
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What role does dust play in the formation of planets?
What role does dust play in the formation of planets?
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Match the following features of Venus with their descriptions:
Match the following features of Venus with their descriptions:
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Mercury's day and year are in a 1:1 resonance.
Mercury's day and year are in a 1:1 resonance.
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What is the significant effect of Venus's dense atmosphere on infrared radiation?
What is the significant effect of Venus's dense atmosphere on infrared radiation?
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There is evidence for plate tectonics on Venus.
There is evidence for plate tectonics on Venus.
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What is the main characteristic of Mercury's rotation compared to its orbit around the Sun?
What is the main characteristic of Mercury's rotation compared to its orbit around the Sun?
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The __________ is the largest impact feature on Mercury.
The __________ is the largest impact feature on Mercury.
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Match the planets with their characteristics:
Match the planets with their characteristics:
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What is one reason Venus is known as the 'Morning or Evening Star'?
What is one reason Venus is known as the 'Morning or Evening Star'?
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The surface of Venus can be easily observed from Earth.
The surface of Venus can be easily observed from Earth.
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The process of __________ allows for the attachment of atoms to condensation nuclei, leading to planet formation.
The process of __________ allows for the attachment of atoms to condensation nuclei, leading to planet formation.
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What are convection cells primarily responsible for?
What are convection cells primarily responsible for?
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The primary atmosphere of Earth consisted of hydrogen and helium, which escaped into space 1/2 billion years ago.
The primary atmosphere of Earth consisted of hydrogen and helium, which escaped into space 1/2 billion years ago.
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How does the ozone layer benefit the Earth?
How does the ozone layer benefit the Earth?
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The second layer of Earth's atmosphere is known as the ______.
The second layer of Earth's atmosphere is known as the ______.
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Match the following gases with their source during the formation of Earth's atmosphere:
Match the following gases with their source during the formation of Earth's atmosphere:
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Which of the following statements about the greenhouse effect is true?
Which of the following statements about the greenhouse effect is true?
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Life on Earth began on land approximately 3.5 billion years ago.
Life on Earth began on land approximately 3.5 billion years ago.
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What happens to water vapor as the temperature of the atmosphere drops?
What happens to water vapor as the temperature of the atmosphere drops?
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What does the blue coloration in the infrared images of Saturn's atmosphere indicate?
What does the blue coloration in the infrared images of Saturn's atmosphere indicate?
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The Polar Vortex at Saturn's south pole has winds that are slower than a category 5 hurricane on Earth.
The Polar Vortex at Saturn's south pole has winds that are slower than a category 5 hurricane on Earth.
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What phenomenon does Dragon Storm I generate on Saturn?
What phenomenon does Dragon Storm I generate on Saturn?
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Saturn's ring particles are primarily composed of ______.
Saturn's ring particles are primarily composed of ______.
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Match the following terms with their descriptions:
Match the following terms with their descriptions:
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What is believed to be the reason for Saturn's rings formation?
What is believed to be the reason for Saturn's rings formation?
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Saturn radiates less energy than it receives from the Sun.
Saturn radiates less energy than it receives from the Sun.
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How does the gravitational field of Saturn influence helium on the planet?
How does the gravitational field of Saturn influence helium on the planet?
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Study Notes
Observing the Local Sky
- Stars, planets, and the moon are visible to the naked eye at night.
- Cultures have named patterns of stars as constellations.
- Early astronomers used constellations for navigation and calendars.
- Today's astronomers use constellations to define large areas of the sky.
- Stars appear to move across the sky due to Earth's rotation.
- The celestial sphere is a model where the stars appear to be fixed on a sphere.
- Stars in a constellation may appear close together but are often vastly different distances from Earth.
- The celestial sphere is a model to visualize star positions.
Circling the Sky
- Stars appear to rise in the east and set in the west due to Earth's rotation.
- To locate any object in the local sky, two angles are needed.
- Azimuth and altitude are used to locate any object precisely.
- The local sky is the sky as seen from a particular location on Earth.
- Zenith is the point directly overhead.
- The meridian is the imaginary half-circle from North through Zenith to South.
Celestial Coordinate System
- The local sky can be extended to the whole Earth, creating a geographical coordinate system: longitude and latitude.
- Longitude lines measure East-West positions from a prime meridian.
- Latitude lines measure North-South positions from the equator.
The Moon
- The Moon is the Earth's closest and second brightest celestial body.
- Phases of the Moon involve changes in the Moon's appearance as seen from Earth.
- The Moon orbits Earth, causing its appearance to change based on its position relative to the Sun.
- A full moon occurs when the Earth-Moon-Sun line is nearly straight with the Sun behind Earth.
- Eclipses occur when the Earth or the Moon cast a shadow on the other body, which may result in a Lunar or Solar Eclipse.
The Seasons
- The seasons are caused by the tilt of Earth's axis relative to its orbital plane.
- Solstices and Equinoxes are specific points in Earth's orbit around the sun.
- Solstices represent the longest and shortest days of the year.
- Equinoxes represent equal days and nights.
- The period of time from one equinox to the next is called a tropical year.
Precession of Earth's Axis
- Earth's axis slowly rotates (precesses) in a cycle of roughly 26,000 years.
- This precession is caused by gravitational forces exerted by the Sun, Moon, and other planets upon Earth.
- The changing orientation of Earth's axis affects the seasons over very long periods.
Observing Techniques
- Telescopes collect light from celestial objects.
- Refracting telescopes use lenses to focus light, while reflecting telescopes use mirrors.
- The size of the mirror or lens is a key factor determining light collection and clarity.
- Spectrometers determine the properties of light coming from distant objects.
- Spectrometers display wavelengths, which provide information about the composition/temperature of objects.
Electromagnetic Radiation
- Electromagnetic waves are one form of energy transfer.
- Visible light is only a small part of the electromagnetic spectrum, which includes radio waves, infrared, ultraviolet, x-rays, and gamma rays.
- The intensity of wavelengths provides information about objects in space.
- Spectroscopy is used to learn more about the composition and temperature of distant objects.
Law of Radiation
- Wien's law relates a particular object's temperature to the wavelength at which it emits the most radiation.
- The Doppler effect describes the apparent change in wavelength of radiation observed by an observer in relation to the motion of a source or object.
Astronomical Instruments
- Various tools, such as telescopes, are used to make observations of sky objects.
- Telescopes collect light and magnify images.
- Light collection is dependent on the size of the lens/mirror, with larger instruments capable of collecting more light and providing better views.
Understanding the Solar System
- The Solar System includes our Sun and the planets orbiting it.
- Planets are categorized as either terrestrial or Jovian planets, possessing different characteristics.
- Planets in the solar system orbit the sun, with elliptical rather than circular orbits.
- Planets and moons have moons, or other satellites orbiting them.
- Asteroids, comets, and other space debris orbit the sun in various locations, particularly outside the orbit of the classical planets.
- Studying the differences in planetary characteristics can help us understand their formation.
The Interiors of the Solar System
- Earth has several layers, with the crust (on the outside), the mantle, then outer and inner cores.
- The interior temperature and pressure create these layers.
- Radioactivity and large impact events can contribute to the interior's temperature.
- Other planets have similar internal structures, although compositions may differ.
Earth's Magnetosphere
- Earth has a magnetosphere, which is a region of space where Earth's magnetic field is dominant.
- The shape and size of Earth's magnetosphere are influenced by solar winds.
- Charged particles, originating from the Sun's solar wind, are trapped in the Van Allen radiation belts.
- These trapped particles occasionally escape and generate beautiful displays of light called the Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis.
The Tides
- The gravitational forces between Earth, the Moon, and the Sun cause tides.
- The Moon and Sun exert gravitational forces, causing slight bulges in oceans on the side of Earth that faces and opposite side.
Other Planets
- Different planets have their own characteristics.
- Various surface features, atmospheric composition, and magnetic fields differ between planets.
- Understanding planetary differences, such as the composition of the atmosphere, is a way to understand a planet's possible formation.
Light, Radiation, and the Spectra
- Studying different types of electromagnetic radiation (light) and their spectra can give information about objects' composition, temperature, and motion.
- Each element has a unique "fingerprint" or spectrum that can be used to identify its presence in objects.
- Understanding wavelength spectra provides clues on the properties of objects in Space and how they form.
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Description
Explore the fascinating aspects of the local sky, including the visible stars, planets, and the moon. Learn about constellations and how they’ve been used historically for navigation and calendars. Understand the celestial sphere model and how the motion of the stars relates to Earth's rotation.
