Astronomy Basics

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Astronomy

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The study of objects and events beyond Earth’s atmosphere.

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Celestial Body

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Any natural object in space, such as a planet, moon, star, or asteroid.

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Planet

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A large object that orbits a star and has cleared its orbit of other debris.

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Moon (Natural Satellite)

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A celestial body that orbits a planet.

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Star

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A massive ball of hot gas that produces light and heat through nuclear fusion.

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Galaxy

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A huge collection of stars, gas, dust, and dark matter held together by gravity.

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Milky Way

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The galaxy that contains our solar system.

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Solar System

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The Sun and all the objects that orbit it, including planets, moons, asteroids, and comets.

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Gravity

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The force that attracts two objects with mass toward one another.

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Orbit

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The path one object takes around another due to gravity.