Vocabulary Quiz - VocabForce

1. apparent magnitude

brightness of object as seen from Earth

sun's outer atmospheric layer above the photosphere

wobble in Earth's rotation axis

building block of a planet

2. synchronous orbit

Earth's orbit period relative to stars

organization overseeing astronomy standards

small planet-like body orbiting the sun, not classified as planet

orbit aligning with a body's rotation

3. solar mass

mass of the Sun used as a standard unit

recognized pattern of stars forming mythic shapes

official naming of stars

location determined by geometric measurements

4. stellar atmosphere

use of diverse signals for study

earth's orbit-based year length

outer layer of a star

spread of velocities in a system

5. submillimetre astronomy

related to stars

study of celestial objects at submm wavelengths

location determined by geometric measurements

actual position of orbiting body

6. heliocentric

rotating disk of matter spiraling into a celestial body

stream of charged particles from Sun

centered on the Sun

large galaxy cluster including Milky Way

7. plane of the sky

sky as seen from Earth

moon cycle with predictable phases

categorizing stars by spectra and brightness

star trail from gravitational stripping

8. circumstellar disc

gradual change in a celestial body's axis orientation

Moon blocks Sun completely

unit of distance (~3.26 light-years)

dust and gas ring around a star or planet

9. rogue planet

orbit passing over Earth's poles

intense burst of solar radiation

variation proportional to square of position

free-floating planet not orbiting a star

10. equator

Earth's great circle dividing northern and southern hemispheres

stars beginning hydrogen fusion

orbit passing over Earth's poles

study of universe using gamma-ray observations

11. rotational modulation

brightness change due to rotation

expanse of space visible from Earth's surface

vernal equinox occurring in March

gravitational effect on objects within a galaxy

12. geocentric

planet closer to the Sun than Earth

free-floating planetary-mass object

centered on Earth

365.25 days in astronomical calendar

13. spherical astronomy

moons of Jupiter: Io, Europa, Ganymede, Callisto

point where orbit crosses celestial plane heading south

study of celestial spheres and coordinates

hot, ionized gas surrounding the galaxy

14. absolute magnitude

study of celestial objects at submm wavelengths

star system identified via precise position measurements

center point of Earth's mass

measure of a celestial object's intrinsic brightness, standardized distance

15. comet

sudden magnetic field change in solar wind

icy body with glowing tail when near the Sun

table listing astronomical object positions over time

shorthand notation for celestial objects or points

16. minor-planet moon

projection of Earth's equator onto celestial sphere

moon orbiting a minor planet

wobble in Earth's rotation axis

edge of a celestial body's disk

17. color index

gradual change in a celestial body's axis orientation

main celestial body in a system

material ejected outward from a star as disk

measure of star's color and temperature differences

18. clearing the neighbourhood

spread of velocities in a system

shorthand notation for celestial objects or points

maximum speed of electromagnetic waves

process of dominating surrounding space in orbit

19. axial tilt

specific date and time for astronomical data

material between stars in a galaxy

angle between rotational axis and orbital plane

protoplanetary disk around a young star

20. astronomy

scientific study of celestial objects and phenomena

measure of star's color and temperature differences

imaginary sphere with stars fixed on its inside

group of multiple galaxies bound by gravity

Vocabulary Quiz:

1. apparent magnitude

2. synchronous orbit

3. solar mass

4. stellar atmosphere

5. submillimetre astronomy

6. heliocentric

7. plane of the sky

8. circumstellar disc

9. rogue planet

10. equator

11. rotational modulation

12. geocentric

13. spherical astronomy

14. absolute magnitude

15. comet

16. minor-planet moon

17. color index

18. clearing the neighbourhood

19. axial tilt

20. astronomy

Select vocabulary category you want to browse:

Vocabulary Quiz:

1. apparent magnitude

2. synchronous orbit

3. solar mass

4. stellar atmosphere

5. submillimetre astronomy

6. heliocentric

7. plane of the sky

8. circumstellar disc

9. rogue planet

10. equator

11. rotational modulation

12. geocentric

13. spherical astronomy

14. absolute magnitude

15. comet

16. minor-planet moon

17. color index

18. clearing the neighbourhood

19. axial tilt

20. astronomy

Select vocabulary category you want to browse:

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