Basic Astronomy Terms
Enter the number from the column to the left into the text box next to the appropriate word in the right-hand column.
1. a natural object surrounded by the vacuum of space The Big Bang
2. the relatively empty area between and around stars, planets, and other celestial bodies gravity
3. an explosion that scientists believe occurred at the beginning of our universe; it is thought that after this explosion the first celestial bodies formed celestial body
4. a star and all of its satellites space
5. the average distance from the earth to the sun (about 93 million miles; or 149.6 million kilometers) solar system
6. the path a satellite travels around a larger object parsec
7. the force of attraction between all objects astronomical unit
8. the area containing all matter, energy, and space inertia
9. the distance light travels in one year (about 5.88 trillion miles; or 9.45 trillion kilometers) universe
10. an object (natural or manmade) that is held by gravity and inertia in a circular or elliptical path around a larger object orbit
11. the tendency of a body at rest to stay at rest, and of a body in motion to stay in motion, unless acted upon by another force light year
12. unit of distance equal to 3.26 light years satellite



Note: this website only uses cookies for session identification. However, we do not use crackers on this website. Not that there's anything wrong with crackers, but after one or two session cookies, we really don't need the extra calories.