Astronomy solar system observation

Conjunction

When a planet is in front or behind the sun as from earth

Superior conjunction

When planets are behind the sun from earth

Inferior conjunction

When a planet is between the sun and the earth

Opposition

When a planet is opposite the sun and earth and easiest to observe

Transit

The passing of one body in front of another

Occulation

When one celestial body obscures another

Elongation

The angular distance separating the moon or a planet from earth

Three ways to observe the sun

Telescopic projection, H-alpha filter, Pinhole camera

What is a comet

ice and rock body

what are the two trails from a comet

ion and curved dust tails

what is a comet’s dust tail

trail of dust due to suns radiation pressure, bright due to suns reflection

what is a comets ion tail

when particles from solar wind hit comet and form ion tail

what debris do comets create

meteors

what are the two types of meteoroids

cometary and asteroidal

what is a cometary meteoroid

small particles shed by comets

what is a asteroidal meteoroid

particles fallen or chipped of asteroids

what is a meteor

meteoroid that enters earths atmosphere

what is a meteorite

meteor that makes it to earths surface

what is a micro meteorite

micro metre sized meteroite