Space Science Flashcards
1
Q
Venera Rockets
A
sixteen unmanned rockets sent to study Venus (1961-1984)
2
Q
Apollo (space missions)
A
US spaceflights to the moon (1967-1972)
3
Q
Neap Tide
A
lesser tidal effects due to the sun and moon pulling on the earth from different directions
4
Q
June Solstice
A
the day of longest daylight in the Northern Hemisphere (summer solstice) and shortest daylight of the year in the Southern Hemisphere (winter solstice); occurs around June 21
5
Q
Andromeda Galaxy
A
the nearest major galaxy to the Milky Way
6
Q
Vostok Rockets
A
six single-man USSR rockets orbited Earth (1961 -1963); Yuri Gagarin was the first human to orbit Earth
7
Q
Lunar Eclipse
A
an event in which the moon’s surface is obscured or darkened by Earth’s shadow
8
Q
Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI)
A
ongoing search for life on other planets by monitoring electromagnetic radiation for signs of intelligent transmissions
9
Q
Earth
A
the third planet from the sun; an inner planet (inside the asteroid belt); only known habitable planet; 71% of surface covered with liquid water
10
Q
Satellite
A
an object or body that orbits another object or body
11
Q
Viking 1-2
A
US spacecraft with Mars orbits and landings; gathered soil samples
12
Q
Daylight Saving Time
A
the practice of setting clocks forward one hour during the summer months
13
Q
Hubble Space Telescope (HST)
A
an orbiting telescope launched by NASA in 1990, sees images in visible, ultraviolet, and near-infrared ranges
14
Q
Odysseus (Space Mission)
A
private firm’s unmanned landing on moon’s south pole; failed due to tilted landing (2024)
15
Q
Mir
A
space station run by the USSR and later by Russia (1986-2001)
16
Q
Salyut Space Stations
A
six successful crewed space stations (1971-1991)
17
Q
Big Bang Theory
A
a theory about the origin of the universe which states that the universe was at one time a very small, very condensed, very massive particle; a large explosion forced all matter out at an extremely rapid rate, and the universe has continued to expand since
18
Q
Small Solar System Bodies (SSSBs)
A
all small bodies in the solar system except planets, dwarf planets, and satellites; name was accepted in 2006
Example: asteroids, comets, meteors, minor planets
19
Q
Summer Solstice
A
the day of longest daylight; occurs around June 21 in the Northern Hemisphere and December 22 in the Southern Hemisphere
20
Q
National Aeronautics and Space Act
A
Act that created NASA, the government agency responsible for space exploration.
21
Q
Makemake
A
a dwarf planet in the Kuiper belt
22
Q
Dwarf Planet
A
a small planet not large enough to clear its orbit of debris
23
Q
Comet
A
a body made of ice and dust in the sun’s orbit; contains a gas and dust “tail”
24
Q
Lunar Cycle / Phase of the Moon
A
the appearance of the surface of the moon as seen on earth
25
Rotate
when a planet spins about its axis
26
Special Relativity
Einstein's mathematical explanation that measurements of time, distance, and mass (inertia) are not fixed quantities
27
Heliocentricity
the accepted astronomical model that the sun is at the center of our solar system; theory was put forth by Copernicus in 1543 and expanded upon by Galileo in 1632
28
Asteroids
small, rocky bodies in the sun's orbit
29
Black Hole
an object with gravity great enough that it does not allow radiation or matter to escape
30
Freedom 7
first human spaceflight (US, 1961) piloted by Alan Shepard
31
Waning Crescent
the phase during which the illuminated portion of the moon is decreasing, and less than half the moon's face is illuminated as seen from Earth
32
Minor Planets
synonym for planetoid, also includes large asteroids
33
Northern Hemisphere
The half of the earth north of the equator
34
Eris
the most massive and second largest dwarf planet in the solar system
35
ceres
a dwarf planet located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter
36
Gemini (space mission)
US spaceflights to develop the ability to land humans on the moon (1965-1966)
37
Telescope
An optical instrument that often uses two convex lenses to form a virtual image of a distant object.
38
Skylab
space station run by the US (1973-1974)
39
Time Zones
a region of the earth which observes a uniform standard time; there are around 37 time zones, depending on daylight saving time
40
Kuiper Belt
a flat disc of comets, asteroids, and other small icy objects that orbit the sun at a distance beyond Neptune
41
Meteorite
what remains of a meteor after it hits the surface of the earth
42
Saturn
the sixth planet from the sun; an outer planet (outside the asteroid belt); the least dense planet; has a complex ring system
43
Space Stations
space research labs that remain in orbit while supporting a human crew
44
Elliptical Orbit
an orbit that is elliptical in shape (elongated circle or oval)
45
Planetoids
bodies that orbit the sun that are smaller than planets and larger than asteroids
46
Friction
the force, in the opposite direction of motion, between two objects moving over one another
47
Full Moon
the phase during which the moon has traveled halfway around the Earth. To observers on the Earth, it appears to be fully illuminated.
47
Third Quarter
the phase during which the moon has traveled three-quarters of the way around the Earth. To observers on the Earth, it appears to be half-illuminated.
47
Earth's Tilt
Earth is tilted 23.5o, which causes Earth's seasons
48
Hubble's Constant
A constant of proportionality between the distance and velocity of galaxies
49
Surveyor 6
first liftoff from the moon (US, 1967)
49
Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO)
Earth-bound observatory for detecting gravitational waves
50
Voyager 1-2
US spacecraft sent into & beyond our solar system; launched in 1977; expected to reach Oort Cloud in 300 years
51
Mars
the fourth planet from the sun; an inner planet (inside the asteroid belt); the "Red Planet"; home to Olympus Mons, the tallest mountain in the solar system;
52
Mercury
the first planet from the sun; an inner planet (inside the asteroid belt); slightly larger than Earth's moon; experiences extreme temperature variations; large iron core
53
Spring Equinox
a day all latitudes have equal day and night, marking the beginning of the transition from winter to summer; occurs around March 21 in the Northern Hemisphere and around September 23 in the Southern Hemisphere
54
Tiangong Space Station
space station run by China (2011-2019)
55
Spring Tide
greater tidal effects due to the sun, moon, and Earth being aligned
56
Mercury (space mission)
US spaceflights putting humans into Earth orbit (1959-1963)
57
Space Shuttle
first reusable spacecraft designed for low Earth orbit (US, 1972-2011)
58
Vernal Equinox
a day all latitudes have equal day and night, marking the beginning of spring; occurs around March 21 in the Northern Hemisphere and around September 23 in the Southern Hemisphere
59
Singularity
An infinitely small, dense center of a black hole
60
Sputnik
The first artificial satellite to orbit Earth. Launched in 1957. Triggered the Space Race.
61
Fall (Autumn)
transition season between summer and winter that begins with equal daytime and nighttime hours (fall equinox) and ends with the shortest daylight hours (winter solstice)
62
Luna Rockets
25 different USSR robotic moon missions (1959-1976)
63
International Space Station (ISS)
a large spacecraft constructed and operated by multiple countries in order to study animal and human biology, agriculture, environmental studies, physics, meteorology, astronomy, and technologies for a permanent residence in space (1998 - present)
64
Fall Equinox
a day all latitudes have equal day and night, marking the beginning of the transition from summer to winter; occurs around September 23 in the Northern Hemisphere and around March 21 in the Southern Hemisphere
65
Jupiter
the fifth planet from the sun; an outer planet (outside the asteroid belt); largest planet; over twice as massive as all the other planets combined; has four large moons; about 90% hydrogen and 10% helium
66
Spring
transition season between winter and summer that begins with equal daytime and nighttime hours (spring equinox) and ends with the longest daylight hours (summer solstice)
67
Summer
warmest season; begins with the longest daylight hours (summer solstice) and ends with equal daytime and nighttime hours (fall equinox)
68
Russian Orbital Space Station
Russian space station planned for 2027
69
Apollo 11
The first manned mission to land on the Moon, on 20 July 1969.
70
September Equinox
a day all latitudes have equal day and night, occurring around September 23; also known as the fall or autumnal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere
71
Tides
rising and falling sea levels due to the sun's and moon's gravity and the rotation of the earth
72
NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
a U.S. government agency started in 1957; responsible for air and space science and technology
73
December Solstice
the day of the shortest daylight of the year in the Northern Hemisphere (winter solstice) and the longest daylight of the year in the Southern Hemisphere (summer solstice); occurs around December 22
74
Uranus
the seventh planet from the sun; an outer planet (outside the asteroid belt); composed mostly of rock and ice; has 27 named moons
75
Voskhod Rockets
two multi-man rockets orbited Earth (1964-1965), first space walk
76
Meteor
a meteoroid that has entered Earth's atmosphere
77
Lunar Gateway Station
a moon-orbiting space station planned by many nations (2025)
78
Pioneer 10-11
US spacecraft designed for flybys of asteroids and outer planets (1972-1973)
79
Planet
a body moving in orbit around a star; large enough to clear debris in its orbit; has enough gravity to make it round
80
Winter
coldest season; begins with the shortest daylight hours (winter solstice) and ends with equal daytime and nighttime hours (spring equinox)
81
General Relativity
Einstein's theory of gravitation
82
Meteoroids
small bodies of debris from space which move into Earth's atmosphere and can then turn into meteors
83
Autumnal Equinox
a day all latitudes have equal day and night, marking the beginning of fall; occurs around September 23 in the Northern Hemisphere and around March 21 in the Southern Hemisphere
84
Low Tide
lower water levels due to being out of line with the gravity of the moon and sun
85
Pluto
previously classified as the ninth planet from the sun; usually now classified as a minor planet or dwarf planet; has five moons
86
Revolve
when a planet moves about another object; Earth revolves around the Sun, and the moon revolves around Earth
87
New Moon
the phase during which the moon starts the cycle around the Earth. The moon is between the Sun and the Earth. To observers on the Earth, it appears to be unlit.
88
Gravitational Waves
weak waves that carry the force of gravity
89
Solar Eclipse
an event in which the sun's surface is obscured or darkened by the moon
90
Shooting Star
a streak of light in the night sky caused as a meteor burns up in the atmosphere
91
March Equinox
a day all latitudes have equal day and night occurring around March 21; known as the spring or vernal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere
92
NASA Commercial Crew Program
sponsored private manned missions (2011 to present)
93
Geocentric
Ancient theory of an Earth-centered universe; put forth by Ptolemy.
94
Mars Pathfinder
US spacecraft delivered Sojourner (rover) to Mars
95
High Tide
higher water levels due to the gravity of the moon and sun
96
Mars Rockets
unmanned USSR flights; flyby and orbits of Mars; one soft landing of Mars 6 (1960-1973)
97
Artemis (Space Mission)
planned lunar space station started in 2017; prepare for travel to Mars
98
Dark Matter
an invisible form of matter (does not interact with light or other particles) that exerts gravitational force; may make up 90 percent of the universe
99
Sojourner (Mars Rover)
23-lb US rover carrying scientific instruments; delivered to Mars in 1997
100
First Quarter
the phase during which the moon has traveled one-quarter of the way around the Earth. To observers on the Earth, it appears to be half-illuminated.
101
Mariner (space missions)
US spacecraft designed for flybys of and orbits of Mars, Mercury, Venus (1962-1975)
102
Venus
the second planet from the sun; an inner planet (inside the asteroid belt); slightly smaller than Earth; similar density and chemical composition to Earth
103
Haumea
a dwarf planet with an orbit beyond Neptune
104
Cepheid Variable
a class of variable star whose brightness varies with pulse rate
105
Winter Solstice
the day of the shortest daylight; occurs around December 22 in the Northern Hemisphere and June 21 in the Southern Hemisphere
105
Astronomical Seasons
seasons beginning on the date of each solstice or equinox; astronomical summer starts on the summer solstice around June 21
106
Asteroid Belt
the region of space between Mars and Jupiter containing most of the solar system's asteroids
107
Waning Gibbous
the phase during which the illuminated side of the moon is decreasing, but more than half the face of the moon is illuminated as seen from Earth
108
Waxing Crescent
the phase during which the illuminated side of the moon is increasing, but less than half the face of the moon is illuminated as seen from Earth
109
Space Race
Competition between the Soviet Union and America to explore space.
110
Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation
Microwave radiation at a temperature of 3K from every direction that fills the entire sky; thought to have cooled from very energetic radiation that originated during the inflationary period of the Universe
111
Bulges
areas on the earth in line with the moon's gravity which have a larger amount of water
112
Waxing Gibbous
the phase during which the illuminated side of the moon is increasing, and more than half the face of the moon is illuminated as seen from Earth
113
Meteorological Seasons
groupings of three months based on common climate conditions; meteorological seasons start at the beginning of the months that contain solstices or equinoxes
114
Neptune
the eighth planet from the sun; an outer planet (outside the asteroid belt); methane in the atmosphere absorbs red light to make it appear blue; gives off over twice as much energy as it receives from the sun
115
Period (of a Comet)
the amount of time it takes for a comet to orbit the sun
116
Solar System
a star, as well as the planets, satellites, asteroids, and all the other objects orbiting it, travelling together through space
