Astronomy

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Definition of Celestial sphere?

a canopy of stars resembling an astronomical painting on a heavenly ceiling.
Today, do we think the stars are attatched to a celestial sphere? Why or why not?

No, the movement of the stars is not based on the celestial sphere but the Earths rotation.
The points where Earth's axis intersects the celestial sphere is called ______.

Celestial poles
Definition of Celestial poles?

The points where Earths axis intersects the celestial sphere.
What is midway between the north and south celestial poles?

Celestial equator.
How many degrees is in a complete circle?

360^o
How many degrees is in a half circle?

180^o
What is an arc minute?
- its used to distinguish angular units from the unit of time.
- In each degree there is 60 arc minutes, and in each arc minute there is 60 arc seconds.
Definition of Solar day?

our basic social time unit
The daily progress of the sun and the other stars across the sky is known as ______

Diurnal motion
What is the latin word for star?

Sidus
Definition of sidereal day?

Day measured by the stars.
Which is longer: Solar day or Sidereal day?

Solar day is 3.9 minutes longer than the sidereal day.
What is the path of the sun on the celestial sphere over the course of a year called?

Ecliptic
Definition of Zodiac?

The 12 constellations on the celestial sphere through which the sun appears to pass during the course of a year.
the point of the ecliptic when the sun is at its northern most point above the celestial equator is known as______.

The summer solstice
When the sun is at its southernmost point below the celestial equator and the north pole is farthest from the sun we have reached the ______.

Winter solstice
When we reach the summer solstice is the sun at its most northern or southern point?

Northernmost point

Author

Anonymous

102583

Card Set

Astronomy

Description

Astronomy chapter 1.3 & 1.4

Updated

9/18/2011, 10:17:20 PM

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