Astronomy Final Exam Review

A collection of vocabulary flashcards derived from the lecture notes on the basics of astronomy and the motion of the solar system.

Equator

Imaginary line that separates Earth into a northern and southern hemisphere.

Prime Meridian

Imaginary line separating Earth into an eastern and western hemisphere.

Tropic of Capricorn

23.5° latitude, furthest south, where the sun shines directly on December 21.

Tropic of Cancer

23.5°N latitude, furthest north, where the sun shines directly on June 21.

Terrestrial Globe

Spherical representation of the Earth.

Longitude

Imaginary lines that measure distances east and west of the Prime Meridian.

Latitude

Imaginary lines that measure distances north and south of the Equator.

Summer Solstice

First day of summer, the longest day of the year.

Winter Solstice

Great day of winter, the shortest day of the year.

Vernal Equinox

Great day of spring, where day and night are approximately 12 hours each.

Autumnal Equinox

First day of fall, where day and night are approximately 12 hours each.

Celestial Sphere

Imaginary sphere surrounding the Earth, where the sun, moon, and stars appear to be located.

Declination

Measures angular distance north and south of the celestial equator.

Right Ascension

Measures distances eastward along the celestial equator from the vernal equinox.

Parallax

The apparent shift of an object due to a change in the viewer's position.

Diurnal Motion

Circular path a star appears to take each day.

Sidereal Motion

Celestial body's movement with respect to the stars.

Ecliptic

The apparent path the sun traces out across the sky throughout the year.

Prograde

Normal westward motion of celestial bodies.

Circumpolar Constellation

Constellations on the celestial sphere visible all year long.