Vocabulary Quiz - VocabForce

1. secular

point where orbit crosses ecliptic

outer layer of a star

long-term gradual change

point where orbit crosses celestial plane moving north

2. International Astronomical Union

unit of distance (~3.26 light-years)

brightness change due to rotation

organization overseeing astronomy standards

high-energy particles from space impacting Earth

3. critical velocity

pair of stars appearing close in the sky

region where a body’s gravity dominates

orbital periods in simple ratio

speed at which star's equator becomes unstable

4. total solar eclipse

Earth's orbit period relative to stars

rotation speed leading to shape deformation or breakup

Moon blocks Sun completely

contraction under gravity forming stars or structures

5. occultation

one celestial body blocking another

chemically peculiar star with strong metal lines

orbit with period equal to Earth's rotation

Earth's natural satellite

6. luminosity

study of light spectra from objects

physics governing celestial bodies and universe

time for one orbit

total energy emitted by an object

7. semi-major axis

longest radius of an ellipse orbit

angular distance north or south of celestial equator

secondary satellite orbiting a satellite

free-floating planetary-mass object

8. solar facula

large planet with icy composition, e.g., Neptune

objects per unit volume

star's movement across the sky over time

bright area on the Sun's surface

9. ascending node

angle between a body's orbit and reference plane

point where orbit crosses celestial plane moving north

mass range where exoplanets are rare

line connecting closest and farthest points in orbit

10. elliptical galaxy

bright streak from atmospheric entry

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

a galaxy shaped like an elongated ellipsoid

star and its planets or companions

11. metallicity

layer separation in planets

location determined by geometric measurements

study of motion of celestial objects

abundance of elements heavier than helium

12. flare star

dense stellar remnant like white dwarf or neutron star

star exhibiting sudden brightness increases

related to equinoxes or occurring at equinoxes

time measure in orbital mechanics

13. orbital eccentricity

study of objects in infrared spectrum

eccentricity of an orbit

study of planets

orbital parameter for small bodies

14. retrograde motion

celestial objects like planets

point directly above observer on Earth's center

smaller galaxy orbiting a larger one

planet appears to move backward in sky

15. OB association

sky coordinate system centered on the galaxy

baseline for celestial coordinate measurement

galactic plane obscured region

group of hot, massive stars

16. opposition

planet alignment opposite Sun

speed moving along a circular path

orbital parameter for small bodies

narrow stream of plasma from the Sun

17. detached object

distant small Solar System body outside Neptune's influence

large, bright cloud of plasma in Sun's atmosphere

narrow stream of plasma from the Sun

solar magnetic cycle explaining sunspot patterns

18. exobiology

study of life beyond Earth

apparent shift of nearby objects

parameters defining an orbit

tiny solid particles in space affecting light and heat

19. apogee

small planetary object

specific date and time for astronomical data

loosely bound star group

highest point in satellite orbit around Earth

20. multiverse

main celestial body in a system

material between stars in a galaxy

close approach of celestial objects as seen from a vantage point

theory of multiple universes

Vocabulary Quiz:

1. secular

2. International Astronomical Union

3. critical velocity

4. total solar eclipse

5. occultation

6. luminosity

7. semi-major axis

8. solar facula

9. ascending node

10. elliptical galaxy

11. metallicity

12. flare star

13. orbital eccentricity

14. retrograde motion

15. OB association

16. opposition

17. detached object

18. exobiology

19. apogee

20. multiverse

Select vocabulary category you want to browse:

Vocabulary Quiz:

1. secular

2. International Astronomical Union

3. critical velocity

4. total solar eclipse

5. occultation

6. luminosity

7. semi-major axis

8. solar facula

9. ascending node

10. elliptical galaxy

11. metallicity

12. flare star

13. orbital eccentricity

14. retrograde motion

15. OB association

16. opposition

17. detached object

18. exobiology

19. apogee

20. multiverse

Select vocabulary category you want to browse:

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