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Understanding > Fundamental concepts

FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS



 The next pages will explain some fundamental concepts in the understanding of the solar system. We will learn more about some notions encountered during the previous pages describing simply the solar system. You will find the answers to the questions below by clicking on the links.  

How to know where are the solar system bodies ?  
What is the celestial sphere  ? 
  
How to determinate the distances in astronomy 
How to measure the Earth  ? 
  
How is the rotation of the Earth ? around its axis ? around the Sun ? 
How are defined the time scales  ? 
 
How do the time is made  ?  
  
What is the definition of legal time  ?  
  
What is a calendar  ?   From where comes our calendar ? How is it made ?
  
How is determined the Easter date ?  
  
How are defined the seasons ? the equinox ? the solstice  ?  
  
What is an astronomical phenomena such as an eclipse ?  the phases of the Moon ? rise and set of the Sun ?  How to calculate it  ?  
 
What are the tides ? How they occur  ? (in French)
  
What are the Kepler's laws ?
 
What is the celestial mechanics  ?  
 
What are gravitation, general relativity  ?  
 
How are the ephemerides calculated ? (in French)
 
What is the astronomical observation  ?  
 
What area telescope ? a refractor ? a reflector ? 
 
What is the
adaptative optics ?  
 
What is the spectroscopy  ?  
 
What is the polarimetry  ?  
 
What are the detectors used in astronomy  ?  
 
What is the infrared observation ?  
 
What are the fundamental constants of astronomy  ?  



    Data relative to the astronomical calculations such as ephemerides, astronomical phenomena (seasons, eclipses, rises and sets ...) are provided in the pages "Astronomical calculations".