Astronomy Concepts and Terminology

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What is the main topic of Astronomy?

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The study of celestial objects, space, and the universe as a whole.

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What does the term 'planet' refer to?

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A celestial body that orbits a star, is spherical in shape, and has cleared its orbit of other debris.

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What is a 'moon'?

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A natural satellite that orbits a planet.

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What is a 'meteoroid'?

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A small rocky or metallic body in outer space.

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What is a 'meteor'?

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A meteoroid that burns up upon entering Earth's atmosphere, creating a bright streak of light.

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What is a 'meteorite'?

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A meteoroid that survives its passage through the atmosphere and lands on Earth's surface.

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What does the term 'orbit' mean?

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The curved path of an object around a star, planet, or moon.

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What is the difference between a comet and an asteroid?

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

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What is the significance of the Hubble Space Telescope?

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It has provided deep space images and contributed to our understanding of the universe.

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What is the definition of 'light year'?

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The distance that light travels in one year, approximately 5.88 trillion miles.