Astronomy Ch 2

Card Set Properties

Title:	Astronomy Ch 2
Description:	angular diameter The angle formed by lines extending from the observer to opposite sides of an object. (p. 21) <br />angular distance The angle formed by lines extending from the observer to two locations. (p. 21) <br />apparent visual magnitude (mv) The brightness of a star as seen by human eyes on Earth. (p. 16) <br />asterism A named grouping of stars that is not one of the recognized constellations. Examples are the Big Dipper and the Pleiades. (p. 15) <br />celestial equator The imaginary line around the sky directly above Earth's equator. (p. 20) <br />celestial pole (north or south) One of the two points on the celestial sphere directly above Earth's poles. (p. 20) <br />celestial sphere An imaginary sphere of very large radius surrounding Earth and to which the planets, stars, sun, and moon seem to be attached. (p. 20) <br />circumpolar constellation (north or south) A constellation so close to one of the celestial poles that it never sets or never rises as seen from a particular latitude. (p. 21) <br />constellation One of the stellar patterns identified by name, usually of mythological gods, people, animals, or objects. Also, the region of the sky containing that star pattern. (p. 14) <br />east point One of the four cardinal directions. The point on the horizon directly east. (p. 20) <br />horizon The circular boundary between the sky and Earth. (p. 20) <br />magnitude scale The astronomical brightness scale. The larger the number, the fainter the star. (p. 15) <br />minute of arc An angular measure. One sixtieth of a degree. (p. 21) <br />model See scientific model. <br />nadir The point on the celestial sphere directly below the observer. The opposite of the zenith. (p. 20) <br />north celestial pole The point on the celestial sphere directly above Earth's North Pole. (p. 20) <br />north point One of the four cardinal directions. The point on the horizon directly north. (p. 20) <br />precession The slow change in the direction of Earth's axis of rotation. One cycle takes nearly 26,000 years. (p. 18) <br />scientific model A tentative description of a phenomenon for use as an aid to understanding. (p. 18) <br />second of arc An angular measure. One sixtieth of a minute of arc. (p. 21) <br />south celestial pole The point on the celestial sphere directly above Earth's South Pole. (p. 20) <br />south point One of the four cardinal directions. The point on the horizon directly south. (p. 20) <br />west point One of the four cardinal directions. The point on the horizon directly west. (p. 20) <br />zenith The point on the sky directly above the observer. (p. 20)
Number of Cards:	24
Author:	thesuhys13
Created:	2006-04-30
Tags:	astronomy pt
Private:	No
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Flashcard list for: Astronomy Ch 2

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	Question	Answer	Note/Hint
	angular diameter	The angle formed by lines extending from the observer to opposite sides of an object. (p. 21)
	angular distance	The angle formed by lines extending from the observer to two locations. (p. 21)
	apparent visual magnitude (mv)	The brightness of a star as seen by human eyes on Earth. (p. 16)
	asterism	A named grouping of stars that is not one of the recognized constellations. Examples are the Big Dipper and the Pleiades. (p. 15)
	celestial equator	The imaginary line around the sky directly above Earth's equator. (p. 20)
	celestial pole (north or south)	One of the two points on the celestial sphere directly above Earth's poles. (p. 20)
	celestial sphere	An imaginary sphere of very large radius surrounding Earth and to which the planets, stars, sun, and moon seem to be attached. (p. 20)
	circumpolar constellation (north or south)	A constellation so close to one of the celestial poles that it never sets or never rises as seen from a particular latitude. (p. 21)
	constellation	One of the stellar patterns identified by name, usually of mythological gods, people, animals, or objects. Also, the region of the sky containing that star pattern. (p. 14)
	east point	One of the four cardinal directions. The point on the horizon directly east. (p. 20)
	horizon	The circular boundary between the sky and Earth. (p. 20)
	magnitude scale	The astronomical brightness scale. The larger the number, the fainter the star. (p. 15)
	minute of arc	An angular measure. One sixtieth of a degree. (p. 21)
	model	See scientific model.
	nadir	The point on the celestial sphere directly below the observer. The opposite of the zenith. (p. 20)
	north celestial pole	The point on the celestial sphere directly above Earth's North Pole. (p. 20)
	north point	One of the four cardinal directions. The point on the horizon directly north. (p. 20)
	precession	The slow change in the direction of Earth's axis of rotation. One cycle takes nearly 26,000 years. (p. 18)
	scientific model	A tentative description of a phenomenon for use as an aid to understanding. (p. 18)
	second of arc	An angular measure. One sixtieth of a minute of arc. (p. 21)
	south celestial pole	The point on the celestial sphere directly above Earth's South Pole. (p. 20)
	south point	One of the four cardinal directions. The point on the horizon directly south. (p. 20)
	west point	One of the four cardinal directions. The point on the horizon directly west. (p. 20)
	zenith	The point on the sky directly above the observer. (p. 20)

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