Y8 Science | The Universe Flashcards
What objects can we see in the night sky?
satellites, planets, stars
What is a satellite?
an object that orbits the Earth
What is the Earth’s natural satellite?
The Moon
Define “artificial satellite”
Manmade objects that orbit Earth; used for communications
Why does the Moon appear bright?
Light from the Sun reflects off it
Define “galaxy”
A collection of stars
Name the galaxy that we are in
The Milky Way
Define “star”
An object in space that gives out light and heat energy
Define “light year”
The distance travelled by light in one year
List the following from smallest to biggest: solar systems, moons, stars, planets, universe, galaxies, universe
moon, planet, star, solar system, galaxy, universe
Name the main components of the Solar System
Sun, planets, moons, asteroid belt, dwarf planets
Recall the order of the 8 planets in the Solar System
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
What separates the inner and outer planets of the Solar System?
an asteroid belt
What are the inner planets of the solar system like?
rocky
What are the outer planets of the solar system like?
they are gas giants
Name the force that keeps planets and moons in orbit around larger objects
Gravity
Name four methods used to investigate space
Earth-based telescopes, space-based telescopes, unmanned probes, manned missions
What do we mean by Earth’s ‘axis’?
the ‘line’ it spins around
What is a year?
The time taken for a planet to orbit the Sun
What causes day and night?
The Earth spinning on its axis
What causes the seasons?
The tilt of the Earth - the suns rays spread out differently
What is the name for the changing shapes of the moon?
The phases of the Moon
How long does it take for the Moon to orbit Earth?
28 days (approx)
Why do we only ever see one side of the Moon from Earth?
The Moon and Earth’s rotations are in synch so we only see one side
What was the geocentric model of the universe?
The idea that Earth was at the centre and everything moved around it?
What is the heliocentric model?
The idea that the planets and Earth orbit the Sun (‘helios’)
What evidence was there for the heliocentric model?
moons orbiting Jupiter, Venus having phases
