MGEB11H3 Lecture Notes - Formation And Evolution Of The Solar System, Lunar Eclipse, Small Solar System Body
8 Feb 2014
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Solar system- the sun, planets, asteroids, comets, moons. Planet- nonluminous body in orbit around a star, large enough to have cleared it orbita l zone of other objects, shine by reflecting light. Star- globe of gas held together by its own gravity and supported by internal pressure, generates energy by nuclear fusion. Au- average distance from earth to sun (1. 5x108 km) Light year- unit of distance equal to the distance light travels in 1 year (1013 km/63000 au) Galaxy- large system of stars, star clusters, gas, dust, nebulae, orbiting a common centre of mass. Milky way- cloudy band of stars/faint diffuse light around the celestial sphere. Milky way galaxy- the spiral galaxy containing our sun and 100 billion stars, visible in the night as milky way. Spiral arms- long spiral pattern of bright stars, star clusters, gas and dust (where stars form) Universe- all physical matter and energy, clusters of galaxies. Sunset: west to east, sunrise: east to west.
