ASTR 111- Midterm Exam Guide - Comprehensive Notes for the exam ( 44 pages long!)

• School: George Mason University
• Department: Astronomy
• Course: ASTR 111
• Professor: Rebecca Ericson

Document Summary

Star - a large, glowing ball of gas that generates light through nuclear fusion in its core (our sun is a star) Planet - moderately large object that orbits a star; shines primarily by reflecting light from its star. object can only be considered a planet if: 2) large enough for its own gravity to make it round. 3) has cleared most other objects from its orbital path. Moon (or satellite) - object that orbits a planet. satellite is also used more generally to refer to any object orbiting another object. Asteroid - small, rocky object that orbits a star. Comet - small and ice-rich object that orbits a star. Small solar system body - asteroid, comet or other object that orbits a star but is too small to qualify as a planet or dwarf planet. Solar system - sun and all material that orbits it (dwarf planets, small solar system bodies, etc.