Astronomy and Scientific Investigation Vocabulary Field Guide
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Vocabulary flashcards generated from the Astronomy + Scientific Investigation Unit Vocabulary Field Guide covering scientific processes, waves, cosmic origins, galaxies, stellar evolution, and solar system formation.
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75 Terms
Observation
Information measured or recorded directly.
Inference
An explanation based on observations and prior knowledge.
Evidence
Data used to support or challenge a claim.
Hypothesis
A testable proposed explanation or predicted relationship.
Theory
A broad explanation supported by extensive evidence.
Scientific theory
A broad, evidence-supported explanation that remains testable.
Scientific law
A description of a consistent natural relationship.
Model
A simplified representation used to explain or predict.
Prediction
An expected result that can be checked with evidence.
Scale
A relationship used to represent relative size or distance.
Independent evidence
A separate line of data that tests the same explanation.
Revision
A change made when reliable evidence challenges an explanation.
Claim
A statement that answers the investigation question.
Independent variable
The factor deliberately changed by the investigator.
Dependent variable
The outcome measured in response to the change.
Constant
A condition kept the same across trials.
Control
A comparison condition used to judge the effect of a change.
Repeated trials
Multiple runs of the same test condition.
Mean
The sum of values divided by the number of values.
Outlier
A value unusually far from the rest of the data.
Reasoning
The scientific principle that links evidence to a claim.
Light-year
The distance light travels in one year.
Electromagnetic spectrum
The full range of electromagnetic radiation.
Wavelength
The distance between corresponding points on successive waves.
Frequency
The number of wave cycles passing a point per second.
Spectrum
Radiation separated and arranged by wavelength.
Spectral line
A distinctive bright or dark feature at a specific wavelength.
Absorption spectrum
A continuous spectrum crossed by dark lines.
Doppler effect
A wavelength change caused by relative motion.
Redshift
A shift toward longer wavelengths from a receding source.
Blueshift
A shift toward shorter wavelengths from an approaching source.
Hubble's law
The relationship between galaxy distance and recession speed.
Big Bang theory
The current scientific explanation for the origin and expansion of the universe.
Hot, dense state
The early condition of the universe described by the model.
Expansion
An increase in large-scale distance as space changes over time.
Cosmic microwave background
Cooled radiation remaining from the early universe.
Hydrogen
The most abundant element formed shortly after the Big Bang.
Helium
A light element whose abundance supports model predictions.
Abundance
The relative amount of a substance that is observed.
Galaxy
A gravitationally bound collection of billions of stars, gas, and dust.
Spiral galaxy
A galaxy with a disk, central bulge, and spiral arms.
Elliptical galaxy
A smooth, rounded or oval galaxy without clear arms.
Irregular galaxy
A galaxy without a regular spiral or elliptical shape.
Gravity
The attractive force that organizes matter across cosmic scales.
Galaxy cluster
A gravitationally bound group of galaxies.
Merger
The joining and reshaping of galaxies through interaction.
Gravitational interaction
A mutual pull that changes the motion or structure of objects.
Milky Way
The spiral galaxy that contains the solar system.
Star system
One star and the objects gravitationally bound to it.
H-R diagram
A graph relating stellar luminosity to surface temperature.
Luminosity
The total energy a star emits per unit time.
Absolute magnitude
A measure of intrinsic stellar brightness at a standard distance.
Apparent brightness
How bright a star appears from Earth.
Surface temperature
The temperature of a star's visible outer layer.
Main sequence
The band of stars fusing hydrogen in their cores.
Giant
A large, luminous star above the main sequence.
Supergiant
An extremely large and luminous evolved star.
White dwarf
A hot, dim stellar remnant with a small radius.
Stellar mass
The amount of matter in a star and a major driver of evolution.
Nebula
A cloud of gas and dust from which stars may form.
Protostar
A collapsing young object before stable hydrogen fusion begins.
Fusion
The combining of light nuclei that releases energy.
Red giant
An expanded, luminous stage of a lower-mass star.
Supernova
The explosive death of a massive star.
Neutron star
An extremely dense remnant made mostly of neutrons.
Black hole
A compact remnant whose gravity prevents light from escaping.
Solar nebular theory
The current explanation for formation of the Sun and planetary system from a nebula.
Protoplanetary disk
A rotating disk of gas and dust around a young star.
Accretion
Growth by collisions and sticking of smaller particles.
Planetesimal
A small solid body that can grow into a planet.
Terrestrial planet
A small inner planet made mainly of rock and metal.
Gas giant
A large planet dominated by hydrogen and helium, such as Jupiter.
Ice giant
A large planet rich in water, ammonia, and methane materials.
Asteroid
A mostly rocky remnant or collision fragment orbiting the Sun.
Comet
A volatile-rich body that follows a typically elongated orbit.