Number 1 Flashcards
Orbit
The circular or eclipse path of an object path of an object as it revolves around other objects
Solar system
a system of objects that revolve around a star
Galaxy
a group of solar systems, dust, and gas held together by gravity; our solar system is part of the Milky Way galaxy
Universe
everything that exists in, on and around the Earth
Satellite
a natural or artificial object that revolves around another object in space
Impact crater
a large, circular pit in the surface of a planet or other body in space usually formed when two bodies in space collide
Rotation
the spinning of a celestial body, such as a planet, around an axis
Revelation
the orbiting of an object around another object
Season
a period of the year determined by the position of Earth as it revolves around the sun
Equinox
the twice-a-year occurrence during which Earth’s axis is perpendicular (at a 90 angle) to a line joining the Sun and Earth’s center
Solistic
the twice-a-year occurrence during which the Sun appears at the highest point in the sky as seen from the North or South pole
Eclipse
an event whereby one astronomical body passes between two other astronomical bodies
Astronomical unit (AU)
the mean distance from the center of the Earth to the center of the sun (about 149.6 million kilometers); used to measure distances in the solar system
Testrial planet
the layers of gases that surround a planet
Gas giant
a nonrenewable fossil fuel that exists in the form of a gas; like all fossil fuels, natural gas formed over many millions of years as ancient, dead organisms were gradually compressed and heated deep beneath Earth’s surface
Astroid
a small object made of rock or metal that orbits the sun
Comet meteor
a body of ice and dust that travels in a long narrow orbit around the sun
Meteorite
a piece of rock or metal from space that strikes Earth’s surface
Geocentric
having the Earth as the center
Heliocentric
having the sun as the center
Gravity
a force that exists between any two objects that have mass (related word: gravitational)
Tide
the rise and fall of the ocean’s surface levels due to the gravitational pull of the sun and moon (related word: tidal)
Moon
a body in outer space that orbits a planet; a natural satellite
Crescent
a body in outer space that orbits a planet; a natural satellite
Full Moon
a body in outer space that orbits a planet; a natural satellite
New moon
a body in outer space that orbits a planet; a natural satellite
Quarter moon
a body in outer space that orbits a planet; a natural satellite
Perihelion
the point in the orbit of a solar system body when it is closest to the Sun
Aphelion
the point in the orbit of a planet or other orbiting body where it is farthest from the Sun or the body around which it revolves
