Solar System Flashcards
a cloud of gas and dust in outer space that’s visible in the night sky
nebula
cloud made from a collection of dust and gas
solar nebula
a nuclear reaction in which atomic nuclei of low atomic number fuse to form a heavier nucleus with the release of energy
nuclear fusion
a spot or patch appearing from time to time on the sun’s surface that’s appearing dark by contrast with its surroundings
sunspot
composed primarily of silicate rocks or metals
terrestrial planets
having a rotational or orbital movement that is the same as most bodies within a celestial system
prograde rotation
orbital or rotational motion of an object in the direction opposite the rotation of its primary
retrograde rotation
a large planet of relatively low density consisting predominantly of hydrogen and helium
gas giant
an artificial body placed in orbit around the earth or moon or another planet in order to collect information or for communication
satellite
the phase of the moon when it is in conjunction with the sun and invisible from earth or shortly thereafter when it appears as a slender crescent
new moon
moon is less than one-half illuminated by the sun but less than one quarter illuminated it occurs when the moon’s illumination is increasing
waxing crescent
moon phase when we can see exactly half of the Moon’s surface illuminated
1st quarter moon
any moon that appears more than half lighted but less than full
waxing gibbous
when the moon is all the way around a circle
full moon
just after full moon, when the face of the Moon is 100% illuminated and the intermediate phase called Waning Gibbous Moon starts it is getting smaller
waning gibbous
approximately one week after a full moon when half of the moon’s disk is illuminated by the sun
last quarter moon
occurs when the moon’s illumination is decreasing Waning Crescent the moon is less than one-half illuminated by the sun but less than one quarter illuminated
waning crescent
an eclipse in which the sun is obscured by the moon
solar eclipse
an eclipse in which the moon appears darkened as it passes into the earth’s shadow
lunar eclipse
a celestial object consisting of a nucleus of ice and dust and when near the sun a “tail” of gas and dust particles pointing away from the sun
comet
a small rocky body orbiting the sun
asteroid
region of the solar system between the orbits of the planets Mars and Jupiter most asteroids are found in the asteroid belt
asteroid belt
a small body moving in the solar system that would become a meteor if it entered the earth’s atmosphere
meteoroid
a meteor that survives its passage through the earth’s atmosphere such that part of it strikes the ground
meteoroite
a small body of matter from outer space that enters the earth’s atmosphere becoming incandescent as a result of friction and appearing as a streak of light
meteor
