Space Flashcards

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1
Q

Orbit

A

The path of an object in space as it moves around another object due to gravity

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2
Q

Tide

A

The rise and fall of the oceans caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun

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3
Q

Solar System

A

The Sun and its family of orbiting planets and moons and other objects

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4
Q

Galaxy

A

Millions and billions of stars held together in a group by their own gravity

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5
Q

Universe

A

Space and all the matter and energy in it

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6
Q

Satellite

A

An object that orbits a more massive object

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7
Q

Impact Crater

A

A round pit left behind on the surface of a planet after a smaller object strikes the surface

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8
Q

Axis of Rotation

A

An imaginary line about which a turning body such as Earth rotates

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9
Q

Revolution

A

The motion of one body around another, such as the Earth in its orbit around the Sun

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10
Q

Season

A

One of a pattern of temperature changes and other weather trends over the course of a year

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11
Q

Equinox

A

In an orbit, a position and time in which Sun shines equally on both hemispheres

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12
Q

Solstice

A

In an orbit, a position and time during which one hemisphere receives the maximum sunlight or darkness

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13
Q

Mare

A

A large dark plain of solidified lava on the moon

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14
Q

Eclipse

A

An event during whine one object in space casts a shadow onto another

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15
Q

Umbra

A

The dark central region of a shadow such as the cone of complete shadow cast by an object

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16
Q

Penumbra

A

A region of lighter shadow that may surround a dark central region

17
Q

Astronomical Unit

A

Average distance from the sun which is 93,000,000 miles

18
Q

Ellipse

A

An oval or flattened circle

19
Q

Terrestrial Planet

A

A planet that has a rocky surface

20
Q

Gas Giant

A

A large planet that consists mostly of gases in a dense form

21
Q

Asteroid

A

A small solid rocky body that orbits the sun

22
Q

Comet

A

A body that produces a coma of gas and dust, a small icy body that orbits the Sun

23
Q

Meteor

A

A brief stream of light produced by a particle entering Earth’s atmosphere at high speed

24
Q

Meteorite

A

A small object from outer space that passes through Earth’s atmosphere and reaches the surface

25
Q

Geocentric

A

Earth centered theory of the Solar System

26
Q

Heliocentric

A

A sun centered theory of the universe

27
Q

Gravity

A

The force that objects exert on one another because of their mass

28
Q

Waxing

A

The gradual increase in the illuminated surface of the moon

29
Q

Waning

A

The gradual decrease in the illuminated surface of the moon

30
Q

Gibbous

A

More than half but less than fully illuminated

31
Q

Crescent Moon

A

The illuminated surface is less than a quarter illuminated

32
Q

Full Moon

A

The entire surface of the moon is illuminated

33
Q

New Moon

A

The entire surface of the moon is not illuminated

34
Q

Half Moon

A

Half of the moon is illuminated