The Art and Science of Astronomy
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92 Terms
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Astronomy
The study of the sky, the science behind celestial phenomena and cosmic objects, and the exploration of the origins of the universe you inhabit
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Planet
It comes from the ancient Greek word planetes, meaning "wanderer."
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International Astronomical Union
It governs science and establishes constellation boundaries so that astronomers can agree on which stars belong to which constellation
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Hydra
The largest constellation; the Water Snake
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Crux
The smallest constellation; the Cross
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Serpens
The Serpent
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Magnitude
It is a measure of a stars brightness
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Light Years
The distances to the stars and other objects beyond the planets of our solar system
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RA
The position of a star measured in the east-west direction in the sky
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Dec
The position of the star measured in the north-south direction on the sky
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North Celestial Pole (NCP)
The place to which the axis of Earth points in the north direction
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South Celestial Pole (SCP)
The place to which the axis of Earth points in the south direction
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**Ophiuchus**
the Serpent Bearer
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**Greek letter**
Either by ancient Greek astronomers or by astronomers of later civilizations, the brighter stars in a constellation were given a **_____**.
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**proximity**
Individual stars in a constellation often have no relationship to one another other than their **____** in the sky as seen from Earth.
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**semi circles**
The imaginary lines of equal RA run through the NCP and SCP as **____** centered on the center of Earth.
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**Professional astronomers**
* They carry out their astronomical work by using telescopes to observe the stars' visible light or by listening for radio waves that travel to the stars.
* They research the Sun, the solar system, the Milky Way, and the cosmos beyond.
* They research the Sun, the solar system, the Milky Way, and the cosmos beyond.
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**Asterism**
* **Star pattern that’s not identical to one of the 88 recognized constellations.**
* It might only contain stars from one constellation, or it might contain stars from several different constellations.
* It might only contain stars from one constellation, or it might contain stars from several different constellations.
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**Amateur astronomers**
* When observing the sky with their naked eyes, binoculars, and telescopes, they typically know the constellations and use them as compass points.
* They crisscross the Earth to take pictures of the shadows cast by asteroids passing in front of bright stars, track the brightness of variable stars, find asteroids, comets, and exploding stars.
* They even contribute to professional research projects using their smartphones and home computers.
* They crisscross the Earth to take pictures of the shadows cast by asteroids passing in front of bright stars, track the brightness of variable stars, find asteroids, comets, and exploding stars.
* They even contribute to professional research projects using their smartphones and home computers.
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**88**
Astronomers have divided the sky into **____ constellations**, which contain all the stars you can see.
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Andromeda
Chained Lady
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Antlia
the Air Pump
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Apus
the Bird of Paradise
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Aquarius
the Water Bearer
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Aquila
the Eagle
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Ara
the AltarAries
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Aries
the RamAuriga
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Auriga
the Charioteer
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Bootes
the Herdsman
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Caelum
the Chisel
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Camelopardalis
the Giraffe
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Cancer
the Crab
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Canes Venatici
the Hunting Dogs
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Canis Major
the Great Dog
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Canis Minor
the Little Dog
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Capricornus
the Goat
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Carina
the Ship’s Keel
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Cassiopeia
the Queen
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Cepheus
the King
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Cetus
the Whale
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Circinus
the Compasses
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Columba
the Dove
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Coma Berenices
Berenice’s Hair
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Corona Australis
Southern Crown
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Corona Borealis
Northern Crown
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Corvus
the Crow
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Crater
the Cup
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Cygnus
the Swan
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Delphinus
the Dolphin
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Dorado
the Goldfish
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Draco
the Dragon
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Equuleus
the Little Horse
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Eridanus
the River
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Fornax
the Furnace
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Gemini
the Twins
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Grus
the Crane
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Horologium
the Clock
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Hydrus
Little Water Snake
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Indus
the Indian
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Lacerta
the Lizard
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Leo
the Lion
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Lepus
the Hair
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Libra
the Scales
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Lupus
the Wolf
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Mensa
the Table
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Microscopium
the Microscope
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Monoceros
the Unicorn
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Musca
the Fly
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Norma
Level and Square
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Octans
the Octant
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Orion
Hunter
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Pavo
the Peacock
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Pegasus
the Winged Horse
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Perseus
the Hero
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Pictor
the Easel
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Pisces
the Fish
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Pisces Austrinus
the Southern Fish
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Puppis
Ship’s Stern
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Pyxis
the Compass
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Reticulum
the Net
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Sagitta
Arrow
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Sagittarius
Archer
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Scutum
Shield
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Taurus
Bull
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Telescopium
Telescope
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Tucana
Toucan
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Ursa Major
Great Bear
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Ursa Minor
Little Bear
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Vela
the Sails
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Virgo
the Virgin
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Volans
the Flying Fish
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Vulpecula
the Fox