The Art and Science of Astronomy

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

Planet

It comes from the ancient Greek word planetes, meaning "wanderer."

International Astronomical Union

It governs science and establishes constellation boundaries so that astronomers can agree on which stars belong to which constellation

Hydra

The largest constellation; the Water Snake

Crux

The smallest constellation; the Cross

Serpens

The Serpent

Magnitude

It is a measure of a stars brightness

Light Years

The distances to the stars and other objects beyond the planets of our solar system

RA

The position of a star measured in the east-west direction in the sky

Dec

The position of the star measured in the north-south direction on the sky

North Celestial Pole (NCP)

The place to which the axis of Earth points in the north direction

South Celestial Pole (SCP)

The place to which the axis of Earth points in the south direction

**Ophiuchus**

 the Serpent Bearer

**Greek letter**

Either by ancient Greek astronomers or by astronomers of later civilizations, the brighter stars in a constellation were given a **_____**.

**proximity**

Individual stars in a constellation often have no relationship to one another other than their **____** in the sky as seen from Earth.

**semi circles**

The imaginary lines of equal RA run through the NCP and SCP as **____** centered on the center of Earth.

**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.

**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.

**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.

**88**

Astronomers have divided the sky into **____ constellations**, which contain all the stars you can see.

Andromeda

Chained Lady

Antlia

the Air Pump

Apus

the Bird of Paradise

Aquarius

the Water Bearer

Aquila

the Eagle

Ara

the AltarAries

Aries

the RamAuriga

Auriga

the Charioteer

Bootes

the Herdsman

Caelum

the Chisel

Camelopardalis

the Giraffe

Cancer

the Crab

Canes Venatici

the Hunting Dogs

Canis Major

the Great Dog

Canis Minor

the Little Dog

Capricornus

the Goat

Carina

the Ship’s Keel

Cassiopeia

the Queen

Cepheus

the King

Cetus

the Whale

Circinus

the Compasses

Columba

the Dove

Coma Berenices

Berenice’s Hair

Corona Australis

Southern Crown

Corona Borealis

Northern Crown

Corvus

the Crow

Crater

the Cup

Cygnus

the Swan

Delphinus

the Dolphin

Dorado

the Goldfish

Draco

the Dragon

Equuleus

the Little Horse

Eridanus

the River

Fornax

the Furnace

Gemini

the Twins

Grus

the Crane

Horologium

the Clock

Hydrus

Little Water Snake

Indus

the Indian

Lacerta

the Lizard

Leo

the Lion

Lepus

the Hair

Libra

the Scales

Lupus

the Wolf

Mensa

the Table

Microscopium

the Microscope

Monoceros

the Unicorn

Musca

the Fly

Norma

Level and Square

Octans

the Octant

Orion

Hunter

Pavo

the Peacock

Pegasus

the Winged Horse

Perseus

the Hero

Pictor

the Easel

Pisces

the Fish

Pisces Austrinus

the Southern Fish

Puppis

Ship’s Stern

Pyxis

the Compass

Reticulum

the Net

Sagitta

Arrow

Sagittarius

Archer

Scutum

Shield

Taurus

Bull

Telescopium

Telescope

Tucana

Toucan

Ursa Major

Great Bear

Ursa Minor

Little Bear

Vela

the Sails

Virgo

the Virgin

Volans

the Flying Fish

Vulpecula

the Fox