Space Flashcards Lesson 1
Asteroid Definition
A lump of rocky debris floating through the solar system
Difference between planet and exoplanet
planets orbit our sun and exoplanets orbit any other star
Dwarf planet definition
A spherical object that hasn’t cleared out its orbit around the sun (doesn’t match one of the planet criteria)
1st planet criteria
Has to be spherical under its own gravity
2nd planet criteria
has to directly orbit the sun
3rd planet criteria
Has to have cleared out its orbit around the sun
Star definition
An object massive enough that it can undergo nuclear fusion, which releases heat and light
Difference between dwarf planet and planet
Dwarf planets haven’t cleared out their orbit around the sun and planets have
Sun definition
Our local star that all planets in our solar system orbit around
Universe definition
All matter and space that exists or has ever existed
Solar system definition
A collective term for a single star and everything with its gravitational pull
Exoplanet definition
Any planet that orbits a star other than our sun
Galaxy definition
A collection of 1 billion+ (usually more) stars
Geostationary satellite definition
A satellite that orbits at a 24hr period around 38000km above the earth, always staying above the same point
Moon definition
A natural satellite that orbits a planet
