Astronomy Earth Science Review Flashcard

Front

Which term describes when the Earth spins on its axis? Options: Rotation, Revolution, Kepler's Laws, Precession

Back

Rotation

Front

Which type of motion causes night / day? Options: Rotation, Revolution, Kepler's 1st Law, Nutation

Back

Rotation

Front

Which term describes the time it takes for Earth to complete one circle around the sun?

Back

Revolution

Front

Earth's orbit follows an elliptical path.

Back

Kepler's 1st law

Front

When Earth orbits around the sun, it slows down when it is close to the sun and speeds up when it is further from the sun due to the sun's gravity.

Back

Kepler's 2nd law

Front

Planets further from the sun have an orbit that lasts MUCH longer than planets that are close to the sun.
Pluto's orbit lasts over over 90,000 days.
Mercury's orbit lasts 88 days.

Back

Kepler's 3rd law

Front

During precession, the Earth wobbles a little. This DOES change the angle of the axis.

Back

Nutation

Front

Causes seasons to be more dramatic.

Back

Nutation

Front

Causes the stars to change direction in the sky (every 26,000 years)

Back

Precession

Front

When the moon revolves around the Earth, the Earth wobbles a little because the moon's gravity is tugging on it.

Back

Barycenter