Vocabulary Quiz - VocabForce

1. extrasolar object

shorter diameter of an ellipse

celestial body outside our solar system

categorizing stars by spectra and brightness

measure of time since last passage of a star crossing local meridian

2. solar facula

bright area on the Sun's surface

curve representing stars of same age

sun's outer atmospheric layer above the photosphere

wide-angle imaging for X-ray telescopes

3. coudé spectrograph

boundary where magnetic forces balance plasma inertia

instrument for precise astronomical spectral observations

a galaxy shaped like an elongated ellipsoid

shift toward longer wavelengths indicating recession

4. astrophotography

gravity experienced at a celestial body's surface

Earth's orbit period relative to stars

Sun and orbiting celestial bodies

photography of celestial objects and phenomena

5. absolute magnitude

rapid fluctuation of star brightness

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

initial astronomical observation of a telescope

apparent movement of celestial objects along the sky

6. astrometric binary

celestial coordinate system based on Earth's equator

star system identified via precise position measurements

spread of velocities in a system

early stage star still gathering mass

7. galactocentric distance

distance from galaxy's center

region visible from Earth

stars in a galaxy's flat disk

bright streak from atmospheric entry

8. variable star

rotating disk of matter spiraling into a celestial body

star with changing brightness

network or complex system of interconnected parts

intense burst of solar radiation

9. rotational modulation

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

icy body with glowing tail when near the Sun

object emitting high-energy radiation

brightness change due to rotation

10. fixed stars

large galaxy cluster including Milky Way

time between similar moon phases

measure of how elliptical an orbit is

stars that appear stationary from Earth's perspective

11. light-year

small planetary object orbiting Sun

measure of star's color and temperature differences

study of galaxies and their structures

distance light travels in one year

12. moment of inertia factor

loss of light passing through Earth's atmosphere

measure of resistance to rotation

universe's initial explosive expansion origin event

minor celestial object like asteroid or comet

13. gravitational lens

star not part of a star cluster

small star with brightness variation

mass bends light from distant objects

planet appears to move backward in sky

14. zodiacal light

faint glow from dust in solar system

highest point in the sky directly overhead

study of celestial spheres and coordinates

star and orbiting bodies

15. synodic day

stars beginning hydrogen fusion

related to equinoxes or occurring at equinoxes

time between similar moon phases

expanding gas around dying star

16. asteroid

plane containing the total angular momentum of system

location determined by geometric measurements

brightest star in the night sky

small rocky body orbiting the Sun, smaller than planets

17. trans-Neptunian object

oscillation of celestial bodies like the Moon

edge of a celestial body's disk

orbit beyond Neptune

time between similar moon phases

18. geometric position

location determined by geometric measurements

orbit with period equal to Earth's rotation

alignment of celestial bodies in apparent line

narrow stream of plasma from the Sun

19. astrophysics

rapid fluctuation of star brightness

star with faint spectral lines

distant small Solar System body outside Neptune's influence

physics governing celestial bodies and universe

20. obliquity

closest point of Moon to Earth

Earth's great circle dividing northern and southern hemispheres

axial tilt of a planet or star

orbital ratio of two bodies with simple integer ratio

Vocabulary Quiz:

1. extrasolar object

2. solar facula

3. coudé spectrograph

4. astrophotography

5. absolute magnitude

6. astrometric binary

7. galactocentric distance

8. variable star

9. rotational modulation

10. fixed stars

11. light-year

12. moment of inertia factor

13. gravitational lens

14. zodiacal light

15. synodic day

16. asteroid

17. trans-Neptunian object

18. geometric position

19. astrophysics

20. obliquity

Select vocabulary category you want to browse:

Vocabulary Quiz:

1. extrasolar object

2. solar facula

3. coudé spectrograph

4. astrophotography

5. absolute magnitude

6. astrometric binary

7. galactocentric distance

8. variable star

9. rotational modulation

10. fixed stars

11. light-year

12. moment of inertia factor

13. gravitational lens

14. zodiacal light

15. synodic day

16. asteroid

17. trans-Neptunian object

18. geometric position

19. astrophysics

20. obliquity

Select vocabulary category you want to browse:

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