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Geo/Helio vocab
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Question | Answer |
---|---|
Foucault pendulum | simple device conceived as an experiment to demonstrate the rotation of the earth |
geocentric model | earth-centered model |
heliocentric model | sun-centered model |
retrograde motion | motion in the direction opposite to the movement of something else |
apparent solar day | interval of time during which the sun passes from its highest point on one day to its highest point on the next |
mean solar day | interval of time between successive transits of a given meridian by the mean sun |
autumnal equinox | beginning of fall in Northern Hemisphere; daylight lasts for 12 hours |
winter solstice | beginning of winter in Northern Hemisphere; shortest daylight period of the year |
vernal equinox | beginning of spring in Northern Hemisphere |
summer solstice | beginning of summer in Northern Hemisphere; longest daylight period of of the year |
Coriolis effect | deflection of moving objects when they are viewed in a rotating reference frame |
180 degrees | total number of degrees that the earth rotates on its axis during a 12-hour period |
Sirius is observed in the evening sky during January. After 3 hours, Sirius will appear to have moved | 45 degrees |
In New York State between February and May, the number of daylight hours | increases |
From September to November the sun's altitude at noon in the Northern Hemisphere | decreases |
In its orbit around the sun, the earth revolves approximately | 1 degree per day |