Universe Notes part 2

• Orbits the sun (star)

• Eight total

• Means "to wander"

Planet

• Eight planets and their moons in orbit around the sun, with asteroids, meteoroids, and comets.

• Formed 4.6 billion years ago.

Solar System

• Meteoroid – solid debris from space (asteroids) that are moving towards Earth. (Orbits the sun)

• Meteor -brief streak of light produced by a small particle entering Earth’s atmosphere at high speed

  • often referred to as “shooting stars” or “falling stars”

  • travel at speeds between 11-72 kilometers per second (6.8 – 44.7 miles per second)

Meteorite – a small object from outer space that passes through Earth’s atmosphere and reaches the surface. (Vary in size)

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• Observed displacement due to a change in the observer's point of view.

• Method astronomers use to measure distance.

Parallax

• Unit of distance in astronomy.

• = 3.26 light years
  

Parsec