Earth And Space

Question 1

Astronomy

Answer 1

The area of science that looks at the universe and everything in it.

Question 2

Geocentric

Answer 2

A theory of the structure of the solar system in which the Earth was thought to be at the centre.

Question 3

Heliocentric

Answer 3

A theory of the structure of the solar system where the Sun is at the centre.

Question 4

Universe

Answer 4

Everything that exists, including planets, stars, galaxies and all forms of matter and energy.

Question 5

Big Bang

Answer 5

Most scientists believe that the universe began with an explosion - the Big Bang - about 14 billion years ago that was a mass that was hit and dense exploded and formed the universe

Question 6

Galaxy

Answer 6

A large group of stars, dust, gas and dark matter held together by gravity.

Question 7

Antimatter

Answer 7

The mirror image of matter. Every particle of matter has a corresponding particle of antimatter. When they meet they destroy each other and are converted into pure energy.

Question 8

Hypothesis

Answer 8

Collection of ideas that seem to explain what is observed, predictions that can be tested

Question 9

Models

Answer 9

Describes reality based on hypothesis that have withstood observational and experimental tests, explains with mathematics properties and behaviors of some object or phenomenon

Question 10

Theory

Answer 10

Series of tested hypothesis that together from a self consistent and accurate description of nature, capable of making predictions that can be tested and verified by anyone

Question 11

Laws

Answer 11

Proven theories that stood the test of time and have broad applicability

Question 12

Constellation

Answer 12

There’s 88 constellations covering the sky

Question 13

Solar system

Answer 13

Our solar system includes the Sun and all the objects that orbit around it due to its gravity, including the Earth.

Question 14

Celestial body

Answer 14

Any natural body outside of the Earth’s atmosphere. There are various celestial bodies, including planets, stars, moons, comets and asteroids.

Question 15

Planet

Answer 15

An object that is in orbit around a star, has sufficient mass to assume a nearly round shape, and has become gravitationally dominant. This means that it can clear the space debris in its orbit.

Question 16

Moon

Answer 16

A natural satellite that orbits a planet.

Question 17

Star

Answer 17

A ball of heat radiating gas that is held together by gravity. Stars contain mostly hydrogen as well as helium and smaller amounts of other elements.

Question 18

Sun

Answer 18

The star that lights and heats our planet. The Sun is powered by a fusion reaction at its core.

Question 19

Light-year

Answer 19

The distance that light travels in one year. Light-years are often used in astronomy to describe the distance to faraway stars and galaxies.

Question 20

Asteroid

Answer 20

Lumps of rock that orbit the Sun but are too small to be classified as planets. There are three types of asteroids, divided based on what they are made up of:
C-type asteroids are made up of carbon compounds;
S-type asteroids are made up of stony material;
M-type asteroids are mostly made of metals, such as iron.

Question 21

Comet

Answer 21

A celestial body that orbits the Sun, made up of a nucleus, a coma and one or more tails. The nucleus of a comet is made up of dust and ice. The coma (a fuzzy outline or atmosphere caused by the Sun’s radiation) is made up of carbon dioxide, dust and water vapour. The tail is made up of gas and dust produced by the nucleus.

Question 22

Terrestrial planets

Answer 22

Planets made up of rock. In our solar system, the terrestrial planets are the four inner planets.

Question 23

Gas giants

Answer 23

The outer planets in our solar system are called gas giants because they are mainly made of gases hydrogen and helium.

Question 24

Gravity

Answer 24

A non-contact force of attraction between objects. There is a gravitational pull between all masses.

Question 25

Force field

Answer 25

A region in space where an object feels a force.