Understanding the Solar System and Kepler's Laws

A series of flashcards to aid in the understanding of key concepts and terminology related to the evolution of astronomical theories and Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion.

Astronomy

The scientific study of celestial bodies, space, and the universe as a whole.

Geocentric model

The astronomical model in which Earth is at the center of the universe and all other celestial bodies revolve around it.

Heliocentric model

The astronomical model that places the Sun at the center of the universe, with Earth and other planets orbiting around it.

Retrograde motion

The apparent motion of a planet in the opposite direction to that of other bodies within its system.

Elliptical orbit

The elliptical trajectory followed by planets around the Sun, characterized by the shape of an ellipse.

Kepler's 1st Law

The law of orbits stating that planets move in elliptical orbits with the Sun at one focus.

Kepler's 2nd Law

The law of areas indicating that a line segment joining a planet and the Sun sweeps out equal areas during equal time intervals.

Kepler's 3rd Law

The law relating the square of a planet's orbital period to the cube of the semi-major axis of its orbit.

Eccentricity

A measure of how much an orbit deviates from being circular, expressed as a number between 0 (circular) and 1 (linear).

Parallax

The apparent displacement of an observed object due to a change in the position of the observer.

Supernova

An astronomical event that occurs during the last stages of a massive star's life, resulting in an explosion that outshines entire galaxies.

Tychonic system

Tycho Brahe's astronomical model that combined aspects of both the geocentric and heliocentric models.

Ptolemaic model

The geocentric model proposed by Claudius Ptolemy that accurately predicted celestial motions through complex mechanisms.

Celestial sphere

An imaginary sphere surrounding Earth, upon which all celestial bodies can be projected as if they lay on its surface.

Aphelion

The point in the orbit of a planet where it is farthest from the Sun.

Perihelion

The point in the orbit of a planet where it is closest to the Sun.

Scientific method

A systematic approach to acquiring knowledge through observation, experimentation, and analysis.