Chapter22:Origin of Modern Astronomy

5.0 (1 review)
Astronomy
Click the card to flip 👆
1 / 22
Terms in this set (22)
Astronomy
The study of the moon, stars, and other objects in space
Image: Astronomy
Geocentric
A model of the universe in which Earth is at the center of the revolving planets and stars.
Image: Geocentric
Orbit
The path of an object as it revolves around another object in space
Image: Orbit
Heliocentric
Based on the belief that the sun is the center of the universe
Image: Heliocentric
Retrograde Motion
The apparent motion of the planets when they appear to move backwards (westward) with respect to the stars from the direction that they move ordinarily.
Image: Retrograde Motion
Ellipse
A regular oval shape, traced by a point moving in a plane so that the sum of its distances from two other points is constant, or resulting when a cone is cut by an oblique plane which does not intersect the base.
Image: Ellipse
Astronomical Unit
the average distance between the earth and the sun
Image: Astronomical Unit
Rotation
CIRCULAR MOVEMENT AROUND AN AXIS
Image: Rotation
Revolution
The movement of an object around another object
Image: Revolution
Precession
A slow motion of Earth's axis that traces out a cone over a period of 26,000 years
Image: Precession
Perihelionorbital point nearest the sunAphelionpoint in a planet's orbit that is farthest from the sunPerigeepoint in an orbit when the moon is closest to the earthApogeepoint in an orbit when the moon is farthest away to the earth.Phases of the Moonthe progression of changes in the moon's appearance during the monthSolar EclipseOccurs when the Moon passes directly between the Sun and Earth and casts a shadow over part of EarthLunar Eclipsethe blocking of sunlight to the moon that occurs when Earth is directly between the sun and the moonCraterA bowl-shaped area that forms around a volcano's central openingRayA star shaped pattern caused by an impact of an meteor hitting the moon.Marea dark, smooth plain on the surface of the moonRillea long, narrow valley on the surface of the moonLunar Regolitha thin, gray layer on the surface of the moon, consisting of loosely compacted, fragmented material believed to have been formed by repeated impacts of meteorites