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



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