Unit 3-Solar System Flashcards
when our view of one object in the sky is blocked by either another object or the Earth’s shadow.
eclipse
The force that causes objects to attract to the planet’s surface.
gravity
An electronic object orbiting Earth; used to gather information.
satellite
A grouping of stars that form a geometric shape.
constellation
A huge ball of very hot, glowing gas in space that produces its own light and heat.
star
The study of objects in space and their properties.
astronomy
A nearly round body, slightly smaller than a planet, whose orbit crosses the orbit of another body.
dwarf planet
A large, round body that revolves around a star in a clear orbit.
planet
The path one object takes around another.
orbit
When something is moving in a circle around another object.
revolution
When an object moves in a spinning motion.
rotation
An imaginary straight line on which an object rotates.
axis
A small, frozen mass of dust and gas revolving around the sun.
comet
A vast space made up of millions of solar systems, galaxies, and stars.
universe
A group of stars, gas and dust held together by gravity.
galaxy
