Chapter 2 : Exploring Space

Question 1

State Kepler’s first law

Answer 1

orbits of planets (planetary orbits) are ellipses with the sun at the center

Question 2

State Kepler’s second law

Answer 2

the line joining a planet to the sun sweeps out in equal areas in equal times

Question 3

State Kepler’s third law

Answer 3

P^2 = ka^3

the square of the period is proportionate to the cubed of the average distance by some constant k

Question 4

What is heliocentric?

Answer 4

sun centered

Question 5

What is Parallax?

Answer 5

shift in positions of celestial bodies when viewed from different locations

Question 6

Eccentricity is?

Answer 6

deviation of a shape from a perfect circle

Question 7

Relativity, or Galilean Relativity is?

Answer 7

motion depends on the perspective or frame of reference of the observer

Question 8

What is orbital perturbation?

Answer 8

a wobble in a n orbit caused by a neighboring object’s gravity (for example, Uranus and Neptune)

Question 9

Spectroscopy is?

Answer 9

the study of radiated energy in visible bands