Space Terms

Question 1

Orbit

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Solar System

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Galaxy

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Universe

Answer 4

Space and all the matter and energy in it.

Question 5

Satellite

Answer 5

An object that orbits a more massive object.

Question 6

Impact Crater

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Rotation

Answer 7

the act of rotating; a turning around as on an axis.

Question 8

Revolution

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Season

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Equinox

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Solstice

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Mare

Answer 12

A large dark plain of solidified lava on the moon.

Question 13

Eclipse

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Umbra

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Penumbra

Answer 15

the complete or perfect shadow of an opaque body, as a planet, where the direct light from the source of illumination is completely cut off.

Question 16

Astronomical Unit (AU)

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Ellipse

Answer 17

An oval or flattened circle.

Question 18

Terrestrial Planet

Answer 18

A planet that has a rocky surface.

Question 19

Gas Giant

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Asteroid

Answer 20

A small solid rocky body that orbits the Sun.

Question 21

Comet

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Meteor

Answer 22

A brief streak of light produced by a particle entering Earths atmosphere at high speed.

Question 23

Meteorite

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Geocentric

Answer 24

Earth centered theory of the solar system.

Question 25

Heliocentric

Answer 25

A Sun centered theory of the universe.

Question 26

Gravity

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Tide

Answer 27

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

Question 28

Waxing

Answer 28

The gradual increase of the illuminated surface of the moon.

Question 29

Waning

Answer 29

The gradual decrease in the illuminated surface of the moon.

Question 30

Gibbous Moon

Answer 30

More than half but less than fully illuminated

Question 31

Crescent Moon

Answer 31

The illuminated surface is less than a quarter illuminated.

Question 32

Full Moon

Answer 32

The entire surface of the moon is illuminated.

Question 33

New Moon

Answer 33

The entire surface of the moon is not illuminated.

Question 34

Quarter Moon

Answer 34

Half of the moon is illuminated.

Question 35

Perihelion

Answer 35

the point in the orbit of a planet or comet at which it is nearest to the sun.

Question 36

Aphelion

Answer 36

the point in the orbit of a planet or a comet at which it is farthest from the sun.

Question 37

Axis of rotation

Answer 37

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