Earth And Space Flashcards
Astronomy
The study of the universe and everything in it is called astronomy
Geocentric
The theory of which everything orbits the Earth
Heliocentric
The theory of which the planets orbit the Sun
Universe
All existing matter and space as a whole
Big Bang
The rapid expansion of matter from a state of extremely high density and temperature which according to current cosmological theories marked the origin of the universe.
Galaxy
A system of millions or billions of stars, together with gas and dust, held together by gravitational attraction.
Antimatter
Matter consisting of elementary particles which are the antiparticles of those making up normal matter.
Hypothesis
Collection of ideas that seem to explain what is observed=>predictions that can be tested
Models
Describes reality based on hypothesis that have withstood observational and experimental tests => explains with mathematics properties and behaviors of some object or phenomenon
Theory
Series of well tested hypotheses that together form a self-consistent and accurate description of nature=> capable of making predictions that can be tested and verified by anyone
Laws
Proven theories that have stood the test of time and have broad applicability
Constellation
Some of these stars seem to be grouped forming images in the sky (88 groups)
Ecliptic Plane
Plane of Earths orbit around the sun(not a circle)
Asteroid
A lump of rock orbiting the Sun.
To small to be classified as a planet.
Thought to be left over from the time of the formation of the Universe.
The asteroid belt lies between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.
Celestial body
a celestial body is any natural body outside of the Earth’s atmosphere.
Planet
a celestial body moving in an elliptical orbit round a star.
Moon
the natural satellite of the earth, visible (chiefly at night) by reflected light from the sun.
Star
a fixed luminous point in the night sky which is a large, remote incandescent body like the sun.
Sun
the star round which the earth orbits.
Light year
a unit of astronomical distance equivalent to the distance that light travels in one year, which is 9.4607 × 1012 km (nearly 6 million million miles).
Comet
a celestial body that travels around the sun, usually in a highly elliptical orbit: thought to consist of a solid frozen nucleus part of which vaporizes on approaching the sun to form a gaseous luminous coma and a long luminous tail.
Terrestrial planets
on or relating to the earth.
Gas Giants
a large planet of relatively low density consisting predominantly of hydrogen and helium, such as Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, or Neptune.
Gravity
the force that attracts a body towards the centre of the earth, or towards any other physical body having mass.
Force Field
(chiefly in science fiction) an invisible barrier of force.
Solar System
the collection of eight planets and their moons in orbit round the sun, together with smaller bodies in the form of asteroids, meteoroids, and comets.
Hypothesis
Collection of ideas that seem to explain what is observed=>predictions that can be tested
Models
Describes reality based on hypothesis that have withstood observational and experimental tests => explains with mathematics properties and behaviors of some object or phenomenon
Theory
Series of well tested hypotheses that together form a self-consistent and accurate description of nature=> capable of making predictions that can be tested and verified by anyone
Laws
Proven theories that have stood the test of time and have broad applicability
Constellation
Some of these stars seem to be grouped forming images in the sky (88 groups)
Ecliptic Plane
Plane of Earths orbit around the sun(not a circle)
Asteroid
A lump of rock orbiting the Sun.
To small to be classified as a planet.
Thought to be left over from the time of the formation of the Universe.
The asteroid belt lies between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.
Celestial body
a celestial body is any natural body outside of the Earth’s atmosphere.
Planet
a celestial body moving in an elliptical orbit round a star.
Moon
the natural satellite of the earth, visible (chiefly at night) by reflected light from the sun.
Star
a fixed luminous point in the night sky which is a large, remote incandescent body like the sun.
Sun
the star round which the earth orbits.
Light year
a unit of astronomical distance equivalent to the distance that light travels in one year, which is 9.4607 × 1012 km (nearly 6 million million miles).
Comet
a celestial body that travels around the sun, usually in a highly elliptical orbit: thought to consist of a solid frozen nucleus part of which vaporizes on approaching the sun to form a gaseous luminous coma and a long luminous tail.
Terrestrial planets
on or relating to the earth.
Gas Giants
a large planet of relatively low density consisting predominantly of hydrogen and helium, such as Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, or Neptune.
Gravity
the force that attracts a body towards the centre of the earth, or towards any other physical body having mass.
Force Field
(chiefly in science fiction) an invisible barrier of force.
Solar System
the collection of eight planets and their moons in orbit round the sun, together with smaller bodies in the form of asteroids, meteoroids, and comets.
