Summary B - The Universe, Stars, and Space

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the universe, stars, and space based on the summary.

Solar System

Consists of a star (the Sun) and eight planets.

Geocentric Model

An astronomical model in which the Earth is at the center of the universe.

Heliocentric Model

An astronomical model in which the Sun is at the center of the universe.

Nebula

A large cloud of gas and dust where new stars can form.

Fusion

The process by which lighter atomic nuclei combine to form heavier nuclei, releasing energy.

Supernova

A powerful and luminous explosion of a star that occurs at the end of its life cycle.

Exoplanets

Planets that orbit a star outside our solar system.

Big Bang Theory

The leading explanation about how the universe began, proposing that it started from an extremely hot and dense point.

Observable Universe

The part of the universe that we can see from Earth, influenced by light travel time.

Dark Matter

A form of matter that does not emit light or energy, making it invisible, yet has gravitational effects.

Gravity

The force by which a planet or other celestial body attracts objects toward its center.

Milky Way Galaxy

The galaxy that contains our solar system, composed of approximately 300 billion stars.

Black Hole

A region in space where the gravitational pull is so strong that nothing can escape from it.

Dwarf Planet

An object that orbits the Sun, is spherical in shape, but has not cleared its orbital zone.

Collapsing Star

A stage in a star's lifecycle where it shrinks and density increases due to gravitational forces.

Planetary Nebula

A shell of gas that is ejected from a red giant star during the late stages of its life.

Neutron Star

A type of stellar remnant composed almost entirely of neutrons after a supernova.

Habitable Zone

The region around a star where conditions may be suitable for life as we know it.

Gravity Waves

Ripples in spacetime caused by certain movements of mass, such as merging black holes.

Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation

The thermal radiation filling the universe, considered as evidence of the Big Bang.