Planets Vocabulary Flashcards
Orbit
The circular path of an object as it revolves around another object.
Solar System
A system of objects that revolve around a star.
Galaxy
A group of solar systems, dust, and gas held together with gravity.
Universe
Space and all the matter in it.
Satellite
A celestial body orbiting the earth or another planet.
Impact Crater
A crater on a planet or moon caused by the impact of a planet or moon caused by the impact of a meteorite or other object, typically circular with a raised rim.
Rotation
The action of rotating around an axis or center.
Revolution
A forcible overthrow of a government or social order, in favor of a new system.
Meteorite
A small object from outer space that passes through Earth’s atmosphere and reaches the surface.
Quarter Moon
Half of the moon is illuminated.
New Moon
The entire surface of the moon is not illuminated.
Astronomical Unit
Average distance from the sun which is 93,000,000 miles
Revolution
The motion of one body around another, such as the Earth in its orbit around the Sun.
Crescent Moon
The illuminated surface is less than a quarter
Perumbrella
A region of lighter shadow that may surround a dark central region.
Mare
A large dark plain of solidified lava on the moon
Galaxy
Millions and billions of stars held together in a group by their own gravity.
Umbra
The dark central region of a shadow such as the cone of complete shadow cast by an object.
Comet
A body that produces a coma of gas and dust, a small icy body that orbits the Sun.
Eclipse
An event during which one object in space casts a shadow onto another.
Gibbous Moon
More than half but less than fully illuminated.
Orbit
The path of an object in space as it moves around another object due to gravity.
Heliocentric Theory
A Sun centered theory of the universe.
Tide
The rise and fall of oceans caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun.
