Foundations of Astronomy Vocab

Front

Includes all of space, matter, and energy.

Back

Universe

Front

A gravitationally bound system of a central star and its orbiting objects.

Back

Solar System

Front

A celestial body in an elliptical orbit around a star.

Back

Planet

Front

A system of millions or billions of stars, gas, and dust, held by gravity.

Back

galaxy

Front

Distance light travels in a year.

Back

light year

Front

Mean distance from Earth to Sun?

Back

Astronomical Unit (AU)

Front

An explanation based on limited evidence for further investigation; a testable prediction.

Back

hypothesis

Front

Knowing and recording something based on senses.

Back

observation

Front

Conclusion based on evidence and observations

Back

Inference

Front

Statements from repeated experiments that describe or predict natural phenomena.

Back

Scientific Law