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