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



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