Flash Cards: Beyond Earth
Beyond Earth - Flash Cards
1/19
Define stars.
1/19
Stars are celestial bodies that emit light and heat through nuclear fusion. They appear as twinkling dots in the night sky.
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2/19
Define constellations.
2/19
Constellations are groups of stars forming recognizable patterns, often named after mythological characters or animals.
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3/19
Why were constellations useful in ancient times?
3/19
Constellations helped ancient navigators find directions before technology like the magnetic compass was invented.
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4/19
How many official constellations are recognized?
4/19
There are 88 officially recognized constellations, defined by the International Astronomical Union (IAU).
5/19
What does the belt of Orion consist of?
5/19
The belt of Orion consists of three bright stars in a straight line.
6/19
What is the brightest star in the night sky?
6/19
Sirius is known as the brightest star in the night sky and is part of the constellation Canis Major.
7/19
Define the Pole Star.
7/19
The Pole Star, or Polaris, is a stationary star that indicates the direction north in the Northern Hemisphere.
8/19
How long does the Moon take to revolve around the Earth?
8/19
The Moon takes about 27 days to complete one revolution around the Earth.
9/19
Define natural satellites.
9/19
Natural satellites are celestial bodies that orbit planets; for example, the Moon is a natural satellite of Earth.
10/19
Define asteroids.
10/19
Asteroids are small, rocky bodies in space, mainly found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
11/19
Define comets.
11/19
Comets are icy bodies in space that, when close to the Sun, emit gas and dust, forming a visible tail.
12/19
How far is the Earth from the Sun?
12/19
The Earth is approximately 150 million kilometers away from the Sun, defined as one astronomical unit (AU).
13/19
Define the Milky Way Galaxy.
13/19
The Milky Way Galaxy is the galaxy that contains our Solar System, consisting of millions to billions of stars.
14/19
What comprises the Solar System?
14/19
The Solar System consists of the Sun, eight planets, their moons, asteroids, comets, and other celestial bodies.
15/19
Why is Earth called the Blue Planet?
15/19
Earth is called the Blue Planet due to its vast oceans, which give it a blue appearance from space.
16/19
Give an example of a dwarf planet.
16/19
Pluto is classified as a dwarf planet as per the definition provided by the International Astronomical Union (IAU).
17/19
Why do stars appear to twinkle?
17/19
Stars twinkle due to the Earth's atmosphere causing the light from the stars to bend as it enters our atmosphere.
18/19
Which planet is brightest?
18/19
Venus is the brightest planet visible in the sky, often called the Morning Star or Evening Star.
19/19
Why is the Sun vital for Earth?
19/19
The Sun provides light and heat essential for life on Earth, influencing climate, seasons, and the water cycle.
