MK luminosity classification
a system of classifying stars according to their brightness
pulsar
a rapidly spinning neutron star that sends regular bursts of electromagnetic radiation that are received on Earth
Neutron star
the smallest and densest type of star known, composed solely of neutrons packed very closely
Milky Way
the galaxy that contains our solar system and 100's of billions of stars
Solstice
when the sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky at noon (longest & shortest days)
Equinox
the time or date at which the sun crosses the celestial equator (day and night are of equal length)
Luminosity
the rate at which a star emits energy
black dwarf
a white dwarf that has cooled
Eclipse
when one object blocks the light from another object from being visible
Supernova
an exceptionally bright nova (the explosion of a star at its final stage)
Main belt
a belt of asteroids that orbits the sun between Mars and Jupiter
Satellite
an object in space that orbits another object
Apparent magnitude
a star's brightness as viewed from earth
White dwarf
a white star with low luminosity, small size, and great density
Kuiper Belt
a band of icy, rocky objects in the outer regions of the solar system
nova
a star that flares from obscurity to great brilliance, then back to obscurity
nebula
a mass of dust particles and gases or cloud-like clusters of stars in space
Lunar
relating to the moon
Spectroscopy
the scientific study of how matter interacts light & certain other forms of energy
magnitude
brightness of a star
black hole
a region of space whose gravitational force is so strong that nothing can escape from it
Atmosphere
layer of gases surrounding a planet