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



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