science test

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to astronomy and astrophysics as discussed in the lecture notes.

Scientific Notation

A method of expressing numbers as a product of a coefficient and a power of ten.

Astronomical Unit (AU)

A unit of length used in astronomy, equivalent to the average distance from the Earth to the Sun, about 1.5 x 10^8 km.

Light Year (LY)

The distance that light travels in one year, approximately 9.5 x 10^12 km.

Solar Nebula Theory

A theory that explains the formation of the solar system from a rotating disk of gas and dust.

Solar Wind

A stream of charged particles released from the upper atmosphere of the Sun.

Coronal Mass Ejection

A significant release of plasma and magnetic field from the solar corona.

Sunspot

A temporary phenomenon on the Sun's photosphere that appears as spots darker than the surrounding areas.

Big Bang Theory

The prevailing cosmological model that describes the early development of the universe.

Doppler Effect

The change in frequency or wavelength of a wave in relation to an observer moving relative to the source of the waves.

Dark Matter

A form of matter that does not emit or absorb light, making it invisible and detectable only through its gravitational effects.

Dark Energy

A mysterious force that is driving the accelerated expansion of the universe.