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