ASTRONOMY STUDY OF THE UNIVERSE

What is Astronomy? The scientific study of matter in outer space, especially the positions, dimensions, distribution, motion, composition, energy, and evolution of celestial bodies and phenomena.

What is Astrology? The study of the positions and aspects of celestial bodies in the belief that they have an influence on the course of natural earthly occurrences and human affairs.

ASTRONOMY TERMS Define the following words Define the following words Star Planet Asteroid “Shooting Star” Moon Meteorite Black Hole Planetoid Galaxy Eclipse Full Moon First Quarter Moon Waxing Gibbous Waning Crescent Super Nova New Moon Northern Lights Meteor Shower

In pairs, discuss with your peers what each of these words means CONFERENCING In pairs, discuss with your peers what each of these words means

STAR A self-luminous celestial body consisting of a mass of gas held together by its own gravity in which the energy generated by nuclear reactions in the interior is balanced by the outflow of energy to the surface, and the inward-directed gravitational forces are balanced by the outward-directed gas and radiation pressures.

PLANET This word has recently been defined to mean a body orbiting a star (or stellar remnant) that is big enough to be rounded by its own gravity

ASTEROID A small irregular celestial body that revolves around the sun (a star), with orbits lying mainly between Mars and Jupiter and characteristic diameters between a few and several hundred kilometers. Also called minor planet, planetoid Asteroids range in size from the largest, Pallas, with a diameter of 480 km (300 mi), down to dust particles.

MOON A natural satellite revolving around a planet.

CONFERENCING In pairs, see if you can answer one of the following questions: 1) Why do we always see the same side of the moon? 2) Where is the Asteroid Belt? 3) What’s the difference between an Asteroid and a Meteorite? 4) Why is Pluto not considered a planet anymore? 5) What fuel is used to power the Sun? 6) What is the speed of light?

ROCKS IN THE SKY Asteroid: Naturally formed solid bodies that have no atmosphere and no signs of gas or dust coming from them. Most in our solar system are found in orbit between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter Meteor: A rock, iron and/or icy body entering the Earth's atmosphere Meteorite: Any meteor striking the ground. Comet: Small bodies of rock, iron and frozen water and gases that orbit the sun in elliptical orbits. As they get close to the sun the gas vaporizes leaving a tail of dust and debris. Meteoroid: A piece of comet debris. When the Earth enters a meteoroid stream left by a comet it produces a meteor shower

In The Night Sky...

FIRST QUARTER MOON

MOON PHASES A lunar phase or phase of the moon refers to the appearance of the illuminated portion of the Moon as seen by an observer, usually on Earth. The lunar phases vary cyclically as the Moon orbits the Earth, according to the changing relative positions of the Earth, Moon and Sun.