E: Space Flashcards
What does the scientific exploration of space reveal about Earth?
Earth is an interconnected part of a group of planets that orbit the Sun.
What are the main components of the solar system?
- the Sun (a star)
- planets and their moons
- dwarf planets
- asteroids
- comets
- meteoroids
Define celestial bodies.
Natural bodies located beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
What characteristics can vary among celestial bodies?
- surface conditions (temperature, gravity, atmosphere)
- composition (gas, ice, visible rings)
- size
- shape (round or irregular)
How do celestial bodies interact with light?
Some emit light and others reflect light.
What is an asteroid belt?
A collection of asteroids found within the solar system.
What led to Pluto’s reclassification?
New information led to the reclassification of Pluto as a dwarf planet.
How can the solar system be modeled?
To represent the size of the Sun and the planets and the distance between them.
What can be acquired through exploration of the solar system?
Information about Earth.
Fill in the blank: Celestial bodies have varying _______.
[characteristics]
What technologies are used to explore the solar system?
Telescopes, satellites, probes, rovers, manned spacecraft, space stations, computer modelling
These technologies enable the study and exploration of celestial bodies.
What is a satellite?
An object in space that orbits around another larger object
Satellites can be natural (like moons) or artificial (man-made).
Define an orbit.
The recurring path of an object around another object in space
Orbits can be elliptical or circular, depending on the gravitational forces involved.
What are natural satellites?
Celestial bodies that orbit larger objects
Examples include moons orbiting planets.
What are artificial satellites?
Constructed and put into orbit by humans
Examples include communication satellites and weather satellites.
What was the first satellite put into orbit by Alberta?
Ex-Alta 1
It was designed by students and faculty at the University of Alberta and launched in 2017.
What is the international Space Station?
A research facility that orbits Earth
It serves as a microgravity and space environment research laboratory.
How does knowledge of the solar system develop?
Through further space exploration, discovery, and use of technologies
This ongoing process leads to new insights about celestial bodies and phenomena.
