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16
Astronomy
Undergraduate 3
02/07/2011

Additional Astronomy Flashcards

 


 

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Term
The Moon's nodes move westwards along the ecliptic because of regression. The Moon moves eastwards with respect to the fixed stars. As a result:
Definition
the nodical month is shorter than the
sidereal month
Term
The Moon's major standstills occur when the ascending node is at the
Definition
vernal equinox
Term
feature of Stonehenge is recognized as
genuine by virtually everyone
Definition
the center-Heel Stone alignment towards
midsummer (i.e., summer solstice) sunrise
Term
Newgrange's alignment together with the finding of human remains inside suggests a connection between
Definition
winter solstice, death, and rebirth
Term
The Inca calendar had the beginning of the year tied to the
Definition
heliacal rising of the Pleiades
Term
The Coricancha in Cuzco had symbolism pertaining to
Definition
the Sun, Moon, Venus, the Pleiades, and other star groups
Term
The ceque system in Cuzco had 328 huacas
(shrines), which is the same number as the number of days in twelve sidereal months.It is also less than the length of the year by 37 days, which is
Definition
the approximate length of time the Pleiades cluster is invisible near the
Sun
Term
The four stone columns on the mountain west of Cuzco were used to mark the direction of
Definition
sunset on the day of the Sun's antizenith passage in August, the time for
planting
Term
Venus
Definition
inferior planet
Term
greatest elongation (east or west)is?
Definition
aspect or configuration when an inferior planet is farthest from the Sun in the sky
Term
A superior planet is in retrograde motion
around this time
Definition
opposition
Term
Successive heliacal risings of Venus take
place at intervals of
Definition
Venus's synodic period
Term
Mayan calendar system using a "year"
of 260 days
Definition
sacred calendar
Term
We know that the Maya knew the relation
between the sacred year and the synodic period of Venus because of a table in the
Definition
Dresden Codex
Term
The Mayan deity Kukulcan was associated
with this planet, whose heliacal rising was considered a time of great danger
Definition
Venus
Term
The Hopi Soyal ceremony occurs around the
time of
Definition
the winter solstice
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