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You might have noticed that astrophysicists often use terms like "occultation" or "cannibalism" or "active galaxy" what do they mean when they say that? It seems daunting at first;
Consider this thread as your guide to some of the most common terms used in astronomy. (Part 1)
Consider this thread as your guide to some of the most common terms used in astronomy. (Part 1)
"Albedo".
It is a measure of how much light a surface reflects. A perfectly white surface will reflect all light and have an albedo of exactly 1.0, while a perfectly black surface will absorb all light and have an albedo of 0.0
It is a measure of how much light a surface reflects. A perfectly white surface will reflect all light and have an albedo of exactly 1.0, while a perfectly black surface will absorb all light and have an albedo of 0.0
"Baryons"
A group of particles, these are neutrons and protons and other heavier particles that decay to become them.
A group of particles, these are neutrons and protons and other heavier particles that decay to become them.
"Syzygy"
This term is used to describe the moment when three cosmic bodies have aligned. For example, during full moon and new moon, the Earth, Moon, and Sun are in syzygy.
This term is used to describe the moment when three cosmic bodies have aligned. For example, during full moon and new moon, the Earth, Moon, and Sun are in syzygy.
"Inferior Planet"
Any planet that is found between Earth and Sun (like Mercury and Venus).
"Superior planet"
Any planet that is found beyond the earth's orbit.
Any planet that is found between Earth and Sun (like Mercury and Venus).
"Superior planet"
Any planet that is found beyond the earth's orbit.
"Eccentricity"
The term eccentricity is the mathematical measure of the shape of an orbit. A perfect circle has zero eccentricity. Infact an "ellipse" (elongated circle) can have an eccentricity anywhere between zero and one
The term eccentricity is the mathematical measure of the shape of an orbit. A perfect circle has zero eccentricity. Infact an "ellipse" (elongated circle) can have an eccentricity anywhere between zero and one
"occultation"
When an object is hidden by any other object that passes in front of it. This event has many examples; strictly speaking a solar eclipse is an occultation.
When an object is hidden by any other object that passes in front of it. This event has many examples; strictly speaking a solar eclipse is an occultation.
"Pulsar"
As the name suggests, any pulsating star is known as a pulsar, there are many stars that pulse. But in astronomy this term is reserved for a rapidly rotating neutron star with strong magnetic fields. Not all neutron stars are pulsars but all pulsars are neutron stars.
As the name suggests, any pulsating star is known as a pulsar, there are many stars that pulse. But in astronomy this term is reserved for a rapidly rotating neutron star with strong magnetic fields. Not all neutron stars are pulsars but all pulsars are neutron stars.
"Proper motion"
This is the motion of a relatively nearby star measured against the background of "fixed" stars.
This is the motion of a relatively nearby star measured against the background of "fixed" stars.
"Galactic cannibalism"
This refers to another exotic event. When a large galaxy through its Massive Gravitational attraction eats up it's companion. They literally merge into one another and form a totally different shape. Mostly irregular!
This refers to another exotic event. When a large galaxy through its Massive Gravitational attraction eats up it's companion. They literally merge into one another and form a totally different shape. Mostly irregular!
Part- 2 coming soon, as always keep looking up and thanks for reading!
