Space Vocabulary Flashcards
Orbit
The path of an object in space as it moves around another object due to gravity
Solar system
The sun and its family of orbiting planets, moons, and other objects
Galaxy
Millions and billions of stars held together in a group by their own gravity
Universe
Space, and all of the matter and energy in it
Impact crater
A round pit left behind on the surface of a planet after a smaller object strikes the surface
Rotation
Something turning around on an axis
Revolution
The motion of one body around another, such as the Earth in its orbit around the sun
Season
One of a pattern of temperature changes and other weather trends over the course of the year
Equinox
The time or date twice a year when day and night are exactly the same.
Solstice
The day twice a year when day is at its shortest or longest
Mare
A large dark plain of solidified lava on the moon
Eclipse
An event in which one object in space casts a shadow onto another
Umbra
The dark central region of a shadow such as the cone of complete shadow cast by an object
Penumbra
A region of lighter shadow that may surround a dark central region
Astronomical unit
The distance between the Earth and the sun
Ellipse
An oval or flattened circle
Terrestrial planet
A planet made out of rock
Gas giant
A large planet that consists mostly of gases in a dense form
Asteroid
A small object made out of rock or metal that orbits the sun
Comet
A body that produces a coma of gas and dust, a small icy body that orbits the sun
Meteorite
A small object from outer space that passes through Earth’s atmosphere and reaches the surface
Quarter Moon
Half of the moon is illuminated
New Moon
The entire surface of the moon is not illuminated
Crescent Moon
The illuminated surface is less than a quarter illuminated
