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. the average distance from the earth to the sun (about 93 million miles; or 149.6 million kilometers) solar system
2. a star and all of its satellites light year
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 The Big Bang
4. an object (natural or manmade) that is held by gravity and inertia in a circular or elliptical path around a larger object orbit
5. unit of distance equal to 3.26 light years space
6. the distance light travels in one year (about 5.88 trillion miles; or 9.45 trillion kilometers) parsec
7. a natural object surrounded by the vacuum of space gravity
8. the area containing all matter, energy, and space celestial body
9. 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 satellite
10. the relatively empty area between and around stars, planets, and other celestial bodies universe
11. the path a satellite travels around a larger object inertia
12. the force of attraction between all objects astronomical unit



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