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Chapter 10: Problem 17

An occultation occurs when a. a star passes between Earth and a planet. b. a planet passes between Earth and a star. c. a planet passes between Earth and the Sun. d. the Sun passes between Earth and a planet.

Short Answer

Expert verified
b. A planet passes between Earth and a star.

Step by step solution

01

Identify the Definition of Occultation

Occultation is when one celestial body passes in front of another, blocking it from view.
02

Analyze Each Option

Consider what it means for a star, planet, or the Sun to block another celestial body from Earth's view.
03

Evaluate Option A

Option a. A star passing between Earth and a planet: Stars are far outside the solar system, making this event impossible.
04

Evaluate Option B

Option b. A planet passing between Earth and a star: Planets in our solar system can occasionally pass in front of distant stars, causing occultations.
05

Evaluate Option C

Option c. A planet passing between Earth and the Sun: This is known as a transit, not an occultation.
06

Evaluate Option D

Option d. The Sun passing between Earth and a planet: The Sun cannot pass between Earth and any planet.
07

Select the Correct Answer

The correct definition of occultation occurs when a planet passes between Earth and a star.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

celestial events
Celestial events are extraordinary phenomena that occur in the sky. These events include a variety of happenings involving stars, planets, the Sun, and the Moon.
Certain celestial events are especially spectacular and capture the interest of both amateur and professional astronomers alike.
Some common types of celestial events are:
  • Solar and Lunar Eclipses: These occur when the Earth or Moon passes into the shadow of the other.
  • Meteor Showers: These occur when Earth passes through the debris field of a comet.
  • Occultations: These events occur when one celestial body passes in front of another, blocking it from view.
  • Transits: These occur when a smaller body, like a planet, passes in front of a larger one, especially the Sun.
Understanding these events gives insight into the dynamic nature of our solar system and the vast universe.
planetary movements
Planetary movements refer to the ways in which planets travel through space.
These movements are part of what produces various celestial events, including occultations.
Key concepts related to planetary movements include:
  • Orbits: Planets travel around the Sun in elliptical paths. This movement is governed by gravity.
  • Rotations: Each planet spins on its axis, creating day and night cycles.
  • Transits and Occultations: When planets move into specific positions relative to Earth and other celestial bodies, unique events occur. During an occultation, for example, a planet might pass in front of a star from our point of view on Earth.
These movements are governed by the laws of physics, particularly Newton's laws of motion and gravitation.
By studying the movements of the planets, astronomers can predict events like occultations, transits, and eclipses.
stellar observation
Stellar observation involves studying stars and other heavenly bodies within our universe.
This field requires both amateur astronomers and professional scientists to use various tools and techniques.
A few important aspects of stellar observation include:
  • Telescopes: Instruments that magnify distant objects, enabling detailed observation of stars and planets.
  • Astrophotography: Capturing images of celestial events and bodies to study them more closely.
  • Light Analysis: Studying the light emitted or blocked by stars to learn about their composition, temperature, distance, and more.
  • Tracking Movements: Monitoring the changing positions of stars and planets over time to understand their orbits and predict celestial events like occultations.
Stellar observation is crucial for advancing our knowledge of the universe.
It helps us understand the physical characteristics of stars, track the movements of planets, and predict when and where celestial events will occur.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

The following steps lead to convection in the atmospheres of giant planets. Place (b)-(f) in order, following (a). a. Gravity pulls particles toward the center. b. Warm material rises and expands. c. Particles fall toward the center, converting gravitational energy to kinetic energy. d. Expanding material cools. e. Thermal energy heats the material. f. Friction converts kinetic energy to thermal energy.

Metallic hydrogen is not a. a metal that acts like hydrogen. b. hydrogen that acts like a metal c. common in the core of giant planets. d. a result of high temperatures and pressures.

T/F: All the giant planets have clouds and belts

Oblateness is a property of a planet’s __________; obliquity is a property of a planet’s __________. a. orbit; shape b. orbit; weather c. shape; orbit d. weather; orbit

A small cloud in Jupiter's equatorial region is observed to be at a longitude of \(122.0^{\circ}\) west in a coordinate system rotating at the same rate as the deep interior of the planet. (West longitude is measured along a planet's equator toward the west.) Another observation, made exactly 10 Earth hours later, finds the cloud at a longitude of \(118.0^{\circ}\) west. Jupiter's equatorial radius is \(71,500 \mathrm{km}\) What is the observed equatorial wind speed, in kilometers per hour? Is this an easterly or a westerly wind?
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