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T6.2TheUniverse
6.2 Learning About the Universe
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Electromagnetic radiation | energy transferred through space by electromagnetic waves |
visible light | electromagnetic radiation that can be seen with the unaided eye |
reflection | the bouncing back of an object or a wave when it hits a surface through which it cannot pass |
refraction | the bending of waves as they enter a new medium at an angle, caused by a change in speed |
spectrum | the range of wavelengths of electromagnetic waves |
telescope | an optical instrument that forms enlarged images of distant objects |
wavelength | the distance between two corresponding parts of a wave such as the distance between two crests |
X-Rays | electromagnetic waves with wavelengths shorter than ultraviolet rays but longer than gamma rays |
space probe | a spacecraft that carries scientific instruments to collect and transmit data, but has no human crew |
reflecting telescope | an optical telescope that uses mirrors to collect light |
refracting telescope | an optical telescope that uses multiple lenses to collect light |
radio telescope | non-optical telescope that detects radio waves from objects in space |
orbiter | a space probe equipped to photograph and analyze the atmosphere of a planet |
lander | a space probe equipped to land on a planet and analyze the materials on its surface |
Sputnik | 1957 - first artificial satellite to orbit Earth |
1st Moon Landing | 1969 - Apollo 11 |
Hubble Space Telescope | 1990 - First space located observatory |
Mars Rovers | 2003 - Two vehicles landing on and exploring Mars |
Space Shuttle | 1981 - First reusable spacecraft; can take off like a rocket and land like a plane |