Unit 3 Astronomy Regents Earth Science

Front

What is eccentricity in astronomy?

Back

Eccentricity is a measure of how much an orbit deviates from being circular. It ranges from 0 (perfectly circular) to 1 (parabolic).

Front

What decreases eccentricity?

Back

A decrease in the distance between the foci of an ellipse.

Front

What is an asteroid?

Back

A rocky object that orbits the Sun, primarily found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

Front

What is one astronomical unit (AU)?

Back

One astronomical unit is the average distance from the Earth to the Sun, approximately 149.6 million kilometers.

Front

What is the Big Bang?

Back

The Big Bang is the leading explanation for the origin of the universe, describing the rapid expansion from a hot, dense state.

Front

Which planet has a higher density than water?

Back

Neptune has a higher density than water.

Front

What is the difference between a comet and an asteroid?

Back

Comets are icy bodies that release gas or dust, while asteroids are rocky bodies that do not.

Front

What is the significance of the asteroid belt?

Back

The asteroid belt contains numerous rocky bodies and is located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.

Front

How does the distance between foci affect the shape of an orbit?

Back

A smaller distance between the foci results in a more circular orbit, while a larger distance results in a more elongated orbit.

Front

What is the Coriolis Effect?

Back

The Coriolis Effect is the apparent deflection of moving objects when viewed in a rotating reference frame, such as Earth.