Solar System 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 by gravity
Universe
Space and all matter and energy in it
Satellite
a natural or artificial object that revolves around another object in space
Rotation
the spinning of a celestial body, such as a planet, around an axis
Revolution
the orbiting of an object around another object
Season
One of a pattern of temperature changes and other weather trends over the course of a year
Equinox
The time when the day and night are equal, because the sun shines equally on both hemispheres
Solstice
either of the two times in the year when the sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky at noon, marked by the longest and shortest days.
Mare
large, dark, basaltic plains on Earth’s Moon, formed by ancient volcanic eruptions
Asteroid
Asteroids are irregularly shaped rocks that revolve around the Sun.
Comet
A body that produces a coma of gas and dust, a small icy body that orbits the sun
Meteorite
When a meteoroid moving away from the asteroid belt hits Earth’s surface, it is called a meteorite.
Geocentric
Having the Earth as the Center
Heliocentric
Having the Sun as the Center
Umbra
The dark central region of a shadow such as a the cone of complete shadow cast by an object
Penumbra
A region of lighter shadow that may surround a dark central region
Astronomical unit (AU)
is the distance from the center of the Earth to the sun or 93million miles
Ellipse
a flattened circle or oval.
Terrestrial planet
a planet having a compact rocky surface
Gibbous moon
A moon that appears more than half lighted but less than full
Crescent moon
A lunar phase whenever the moon is waning or moon that appears more than half lighted but less than full
Full moon
A lunar phase when the moon is fully illuminated
