Universe Vocabulary

the true brightness of a star based on its actual luminosity, or light output

• absolute magnitude

• neutron star

• apparent magnitude

• galaxy

the apparent brightness of a star as observed from Earth

• absolute magnitude

• parsec

• apparent magnitude

• light-year

the burned — out core of a white dwarf star

• red shift

• nebula

• black hole

• black dwarf

the theoretical remains of a supermassive star that has exploded and collapsed in on itself

• white dwarf

• black hole

• neutron star

• red giant

a starlike object that does not radiate energy because it has insufficient mass for nuclear fusion

• red dwarf

• white dwarf

• brown dwarf

• black dwarf

a group of stars that form a pattern or shape in the night sky

• constellation

• galaxy

• nebula

• nova

a branch of astronomy concerned with the study of the origin and evolution of the universe

• astrology

• cosmology

• cosmetology

• astronomy

matter that cannot be detected with current technology

• parsec

• Messier object

• dark matter

• gravity

a nuclear reaction in the center of a star that releases a tremendous amount of energy in the form of radiation

• quasar

• pulsar

• fision

• fusion

a group of stars, usually numbering in the billions, that orbit a common mass and travel through the universe as a single unit

• galaxy

• nebula

• neutron star

• nova