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Unit 7:S and S
Eighth Grade Science
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Equinox | Daytime hours are equal to nighttime hours. March 21 is the vernal equinox, and September 21 is the autumnal equinox |
Solstice | December 21 (Winter) is the shortest day of the year, and June 21 (Summer) is the longest day of the year |
Nuclear Fusion | How a star makes enormous amounts of energy |
Nebula | A large cloud of gas and dust that spread out in an immense volume |
Protostar | A contracting cloud of gas and dust with enough mass to form a star |
Axial Tilt | 45 degree angle, that is the reason for our seasons |
Brightness | The amount of light energy falling on a surface. As distance increases, this decreases |
Luminosity | A total amount of light given off in all directions. Distance affects brightness, but not this |
Main Sequence | The stage of life that our Sun is currently in |
Red Giant | When a main sequence star starts to run out of fuel, it becomes this. Someday, our Sun will become this |
White Dwarf | A dying red giant becomes this. Someday, our Sun will become this |