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		Definitions
		Other Dictionaries: Imagine the Universe Additional Definitions Link Definitions -1 Definitions -2 Definitions -3
			Absolute Magnitude: is a measure of the inherent brightness of a celestial object. This scale is defined as the apparent magnitude a star would have if it were seen from a standard distance of 32.6 light-years (10 parsecs). The lower the number, the brighter the object. Negative numbers indicate extreme brightness.

			Apparent Magnitude: is a measure of the brightness of a celestial object as seen from Earth. The lower the number, the brighter the object. Negative numbers indicate extreme brightness. The full moon has an apparent magnitude of -12.6; the sun's is -26.8. We can see objects up to 6th magnitude without a telescope. Apparent magnitude is abbreviated m. This system of rating the brightness of celestial objects was developed by the Greek astronomer Hipparchus in 120 B.C.

			Atmospheres: 1.013 bars = 1.03 kg/cm² = 14.7 pounds per square inch, standard atmospheric pressure at sea level on Earth.

			Aurora's: A phenomena created by an interaction between highly charged particles from solar flares, the earths magnetic field and the earth's atmosphere. Charged particles from a solar flare are channeled over the earths magnetic field much like a rock in a stream. The particles force the first magnetic field lines it encounters to break and then reconnect on the night side of the Earth. When this magnetic reconnection (animation) occurs out in space the particles flow back towards Earth along the magnetic field lines and enter the atmosphere at the poles. The charged ions impact with gases in the atmosphere and give off different colors of light. Periodically the poles shift polarity meaning some day the north pole will shift to the current south pole position. This process is thought to take about 2000 to 3000 years during which time Aurora's will occur all around the Earth rather than at the poles. HEAVEN'S FIRE : (The Aurora's) Images Courtesy of Jan Curtis's Aurora Image Collection ADd info: Solar Activity (Sat. Img.) Particle Contact (Sat. Img.) Solar Storm Forecasts Current Sun Photos Aurora's Explained Current Aurora Activity (Site I) Current Aurora Activity (Site II) Aurora Maker (Fun) 3D Anim of Recent Auroral Activity Sounds of the Magnetosphere (An Auroral Presentation) Earth's Bow Shock & Magnetopause (realtime anim) Aurora Video Clips Aurora Image taken from the Shuttle Want to see Images of the Aurora around the world as they occurred on March 31, 2001? They saw it as far south as Houston Texas and there is a picture from Payson, Arizona. Keep looking up and you just might see it tonight. Follow this link

			Celestial Sphere, Equator & Poles : The equatorial coordinate system is based on the celestial sphere. The celestial sphere is a giant imaginary globe surrounding Earth. This sphere has north and south celestial poles directly above Earth's North and South poles. It has a celestial equator, directly above Earth's equator.

			Corona :

			Density : Amount of a substance contained within a specific area. In physics, density is the ratio of the mass of a substance to its volume, and it can be calculated by dividing the mass by the volume. Density is often expressed in units such as grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm3) or pounds per cubic foot (lb/ft3). The density of a substance can vary under different conditions. Substances expand and contract as their temperature changes, and as a result their density also changes. Precise measurements of density therefore include the temperature at which they were taken. "Density," Microsoft� Encarta� Online Encyclopedia 2001 http://encarta.msn.com � 1997-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

			Ecliptic Plane : The ecliptic plane is the imaginary plane (like a disc) containing the Earth's orbit around the Sun. As seen in the sky the sun follows this path during the day and the planets all tend to lie near this path as well. This plane was created during the formation of our Sun as it was spinning, creating the flattened, proto-planetary disk.

			Heliosphere : The heliosphere is a bubble in space produced by the solar wind. Although electrically neutral, atoms from interstellar space can penetrate this bubble, virtually all of the material in the heliosphere emanates from the Sun itself. This sphere is comprised of the heliopause and helio-sheath. Source : http://science.msfc.nasa.gov/ssl/pad/solar/heliosph.htm

			Heliopause & Helio-sheath : (Info-link) - The solar wind streams off of the Sun in all directions at speeds of several hundred km/s (about 1,000,000 mph in the Earth's vicinity). At some distance from the Sun, well beyond the orbit of Pluto, this supersonic wind must slow down to meet the gases in the interstellar medium. It must first pass through a shock, the termination shock, to become subsonic. It then slows down and gets turned in the direction of the ambient flow of the interstellar medium to form a comet-like tail behind the Sun. This subsonic flow region is called the helio-sheath. The outer surface of the helio-sheath, where the heliosphere meets the interstellar medium, is called the heliopause. Source : http://science.msfc.nasa.gov/ssl/pad/solar/heliosph.htm

			Helium (He): A colorless, odorless gas which is the second lightest known element in the universe containing two protons, two neutrons and two electrons. Helium is the second element created in the process of nucleosynthesis. Second element in the periodic table. 4.002602 atomic mass. Atomic number 2. One of the three basic elements created in the big bang. Hydrogen and Lithium are the other two. (periodic table)

			Hydrogen (H): A colorless, odorless gas which is the lightest known element in the universe containing one proton, one neutron and one electron. Hydrogen is the base element upon which all other elements are built. (see nucleosynthesis) First element in the periodic table. 1.00794 atomic mass. Atomic number 1 Most abundant element in the universe was one of the three basic elements created in the big bang. Helium and Lithium are the other two. (periodic table)

			Kelvin (K): 0 Kelvin is absolute zero; H₂O (water-ice) melts at 273 K (= 0� C = 32� F); H₂O boils at 373 K (= 100� C = 212� F). (developed by William Thomson).

			Mass: In physics, the amount of matter that a body contains, and a measure of the inertial property of that body, that is, of its resistance to change of motion (see Inertia). Mass is different from weight, which is a measure of the attraction of the earth for a given mass (see Gravitation). Inertial mass and gravitational mass are identical. Weight, although proportional to mass, varies with the position of a given mass relative to the earth; thus, equal masses at the same location in a gravitational field will have equal weights. A mass in interstellar space may have zero weight. A fundamental principle of classical physics is the law of conservation of mass, which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed. This law holds true in chemical reactions but is modified in cases where atoms disintegrate and matter is converted to energy or energy is converted to matter (see Nuclear Energy; X Ray: Pair Production). The theory of relativity, initially formulated in 1905 by the German-born American physicist Albert Einstein, did much to change traditional concepts of mass. In modern physics, the mass of an object is regarded as changing as its velocity approaches that of light, that is, when it approaches 300,000 km/sec (about 186,000 mi/sec); an object moving at a speed of approximately 260,000 km/sec (about 160,000 mi/sec), for example, has a mass about double its so-called rest mass. Where such velocities are involved, as in nuclear reactions, mass can be converted into energy and vice versa, as suggested by Einstein in his famous equation E = mc2 (energy equals mass multiplied by the velocity of light squared). "Mass (physics)," Microsoft� Encarta� Online Encyclopedia 2001 http://encarta.msn.com � 1997-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

			Magnetosphere : (Info-Link) A region above the planetary surface in which charged particles (from a solar wind) are affected by the planet's magnetic field. The solar wind in turn shapes and deforms the magnetic field creating a fluctuating equilibrium. The magnetosphere fluctuates constantly even flipping it's magnetic north / south poles periodically. Mercury and Earth are the only inner planets known to have magnetic fields which are thought to be a result of liquid cores and the planets rotation. Components: Bowshock, Magnetosheath, Magnetopause, Plasma Sphere Trapping Region (Plasma Sheet), Lobes, Radiation Belts, Currents, Magnetic Flux Earth's Bow Shock & Magnetopause (realtime anim) Related Phenomena: Aurora's & Natural Radio Signals Aurora's occur at the north pole only due to the positively charged particles of solar flares and the negative pole of the earths magnetic field which is currently at the north pole. The positive ions of the flare are attracted to the negative pole and ride the fields of force at the cusp down into our atmosphere. Importance: The Magnetosphere protects us from the radiation of positive ion plasma created by the sun. This plasma is also known as the solar wind. The magnetosphere also protects us from solar flares which are also know as CME's (Coronal Mass Ejections)

			Nuclear fusion :

			Nucleosynthesis : (Info-link) The process that occurs in stars that converts hydrogen to helium and so on into successively heavier elements up to and including iron. (see periodic table) The creation of elements heavier than iron was, until recently, thought to occur only when a supernova event happened. A discovery in Aug. 2001 pointed to stars which can produce elements up to lead without the supernova event occurring.

			Radiation :

			Solar wind : (Info-Link)- The solar wind streams off of the Sun in all directions at speeds of about 400 km/s (about 1 million miles per hour). The source of the solar wind is the Sun's hot corona. The temperature of the corona is so high that the Sun's gravity cannot hold on to it. Although we understand why this happens we do not understand the details about how and where the coronal gases are accelerated to these high velocities. The solar wind is made of Hydrogen (95%) and Helium (4%) and Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Neon, Magnesium, Silicon and Iron (~1%). These atoms are all in the form of a plasma of positive ions which means they have lost electrons because the temperature is so hot. This question is related to the question of coronal heating. Source : http://science.msfc.nasa.gov/ssl/pad/solar/sun_wind.htm

			Speed of Light : 300,000 km/sec (about 186,000 mi/sec)

			Superposition: A term synonymous with geology The law states "that strata that are younger will be deposited on top of strata that are older, given normal conditions of deposition." Relative to identifying the order of occurrence of geological activity and impact craters on planetary bodies. This term relates to the ordering of events based on the interruption of boundaries in a geological or impact event. Essentially if a crater boundary disrupts the line of a fault then the crater is more recent.

			Volume : In mathematics, the amount of space occupied by a solid figure. Volume is measured in terms of cubic units, such as cubic inches or cubic feet in the English system of weights and measures, and in cubic centimeters or cubic meters in the metric system. Volume may also be expressed in such liquid or dry measures as liters and bushels. See Weights and Measures. "Volume," Microsoft� Encarta� Online Encyclopedia 2001 http://encarta.msn.com � 1997-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.



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