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Astronomy

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  1. Definition of Celestial sphere?
    a canopy of stars resembling an astronomical painting on a heavenly ceiling.
  2. 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.
  3. The points where Earth's axis intersects the celestial sphere is called ______.
    Celestial poles
  4. Definition of Celestial poles?
    The points where Earths axis intersects the celestial sphere.
  5. What is midway between the north and south celestial poles?
    Celestial equator.
  6. How many degrees is in a complete circle?
    360o
  7. How many degrees is in a half circle?
    180o
  8. 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.
  9. Definition of Solar day?
    our basic social time unit
  10. The daily progress of the sun and the other stars across the sky is known as ______
    Diurnal motion
  11. What is the latin word for star?
    Sidus
  12. Definition of sidereal day?
    Day measured by the stars.
  13. Which is longer: Solar day or Sidereal day?
    Solar day is 3.9 minutes longer than the sidereal day.
  14. What is the path of the sun on the celestial sphere over the course of a year called?
    Ecliptic
  15. Definition of Zodiac?
    The 12 constellations on the celestial sphere through which the sun appears to pass during the course of a year.
  16. the point of the ecliptic when the sun is at its northern most point above the celestial equator is known as______.
    The summer solstice
  17. 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
  18. When we reach the summer solstice is the sun at its most northern or southern point?
    Northernmost point
Author:
 Anonymous
ID:
 102583
Card Set:
 Astronomy
Updated:
2011-09-18 22:17:20
Tags:
Astronomy
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Description:
Astronomy chapter 1.3 & 1.4
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