6.1 THE SOLAR SYSTEM - Key Terms Flashcards
1
Q
Solar System
A
Sun, planets, moons, comets and asteroids
2
Q
Sun
A
A star, hydrogen and helium, largest object (99.8% total mass of the solar system)
3
Q
Planet
A
Sizeable object orbiting a star, has own gravity
4
Q
Moon/natural satellite
A
Body that orbits a planet
5
Q
Asteroids
A
Rocky objects, failed to form a planet
6
Q
Meteorites
A
Rock fragments, fall to Earth from space
7
Q
Comet
A
Ice and dust, outer layer melts to water vapour as it gets closer to the sun
8
Q
Terrestrial Planets
A
The four ‘Earth like’ planets closest to the Sun - Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars - formed of similar materials to those of the Earth
9
Q
Gas Giants
A
The four planets furthest from the Sun - Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune - are made of gas surrounding a rocky or metallic core
