Space Vocab

Question 1

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

Answer 1

Orbit

Question 2

The sun and family of orbiting planets and moons and other objects

Answer 2

Solar system

Question 3

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

Answer 3

Galaxy

Question 4

Space and all matter and energy in it

Answer 4

Universe

Question 5

An object that orbits a more massive object

Answer 5

Satellite

Question 6

A round pit left behind on a surface of a planet or other body in space after a smaller object strikes the surface

Answer 6

Impact crater

Question 7

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

Answer 7

Axis of rotation

Question 8

The motion of one body around another, such as earth in its orbit around the sun

Answer 8

Revolution

Question 9

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

Answer 9

Season

Question 10

In an orbit, a position and time in which sunlit shines equally on both the northern and southern hemisphere a time where daylight and darkness are equal for most parts of earth

Answer 10

Equinox

Question 11

In an orbit, a position and time during which one hemisphere receives a maximum area of sunlight while the other hemisphere receives the minimum time of year when days are longest or shortest

Answer 11

Solstice

Question 12

A large dark plain of solidified lava on the moon

Answer 12

Mare

Question 13

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

Answer 13

Eclipse

Question 14

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

Answer 14

Umbra

Question 15

A region of lighter shadow that may surround a dark central region, the spreading cone of lighter shadow cast by an object

Answer 15

Penumbra

Question 16

Average distance from the sun approximately 93,000,000 to 150 million kilometers

Answer 16

Astronomical unit (AU)

Question 17

An oval or flattened circle

Answer 17

Ellipse

Question 18

a planet with a rocky surface

Answer 18

Terrestrial planet

Question 19

A large planet that consists mostly gases in a dense form

Answer 19

Gas giant

Question 20

a small solid rocky body that orbits the sun

Answer 20

Asteroid

Question 21

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

Answer 21

Comet

Question 22

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

Answer 22

Meteor

Question 23

A small object from outer space that passes through earths atmosphere and reaches the surface

Answer 23

Meteorite

Question 24

Earth centered theory of the solar system

Answer 24

Geocentric

Question 25

Sun centered Theory of the solar system

Answer 25

Heliocentric

Question 26

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

Answer 26

Gravity

Question 27

the rise and fall of the ocean’s surface levels due to the gravitational pull of moon

Answer 27

Tide

Question 28

The gradual increase of the illuminated surface of the moon

Answer 28

Waxing

Question 29

The gradual decrease in the illuminated surface of the moon

Answer 29

Waning

Question 30

More than half but less than fully illuminated

Answer 30

Gibbous moon

Question 31

The illuminated surface is less than a quarter illuminated

Answer 31

Crescent moon

Question 32

The entire surface of the moon is illuminated

Answer 32

Full moon

Question 33

The entire surface of the moon is not illuminated

Answer 33

New moon

Question 34

Half of the moons surface is illuminated

Answer 34

Quarter moon