Vocab 2 Flashcards
Orbit
the circular path of an object as it revolves around another object due to gravity
Solar system
The sun and its family of orbiting planets and moons and other objects
Galaxy
Millions or billions of stars held together in a group by their own gravity
Universe
Space and all the matter and energy in it
Satellite
a natural or artificial object that revolves around another bigger object in space
Impact crater
a crater on a planet or moon caused by the impact of a meteorite or other object, typically circular with a raised rim. Usually a smaller object
Axis of rotation
An imaginary line about which around a turning body such as earth rotates
Revolution
the motion of one body around another, such as the earth in orbit of the sun
Season
a period of the year determined by the position of Earth as it revolves around the sun, this controls temperature and weather.
Equinox
In an orbit, a position and time in which sunlight shines equally on the northern and Southern Hemispheres.
Solstice
In an orbit, a position and time during which one hemisphere receives it minimum, the time of year when the days are either longest of shortest
Mare
A dark plain of solidified lava on the moon, not a female horse. 🐴
Eclipse
an event where an object cases its shadow onto another
Umbra
The dark center region of a shadow such as then cone of complete shadow cast by an object.
Penumbra
A region of lighter shadow that may surround a dark central region. The spreading cone of lighter shadow cast by an object
Astronomical unit
average distance from the sun which is approximately 93 mil miles or 150 mil kilometers
Ellipse
An oval or flattened circle
Terrestrial planet
A planet that has a rocky surface
Gas giant
A large plane that consist mostly of gases in a dense form
Asteroid
A small solid rocky body that orbits the sun
Comet
A body that produces a coma of gas and dust, a small icy body that orbits the sun
Meteor
A small streak of light produced by a particle entering earths atmosphere at high speed
Meterorite
A small object from outer space that passes through earths atmosphere and reaches the surface
Geocentric
Earth centered theory of the solar system
Heliocentric
A sun centered theory of the solar system
Gravity
The force that objects exert on one another because of their mass
Tides
The rise and fall of the ocean levels caused by the gravitational pull of the moon
Waxing
The moon at anytime after the new moon and before the full moon so called because it illuminated area is increasing
Waning
The moon at anytime after the full moon and before the new moon so called because it’s illuminated area is decreasing
Gibbous moon
More than half but less fully illuminated
Crescent moon
The curved shape of the waxing or waning moon, less than a quarter illuminated
Full moon
When all the moon is illuminated
New moon
The entire moon is not illuminated
Quarter moon
One half is illuminated
Days of a new season
March 22, June 21, October 22, December 21
