Solar System Vocab

Question 1

Orbit

Answer 1

An elliptical pathway of an object around another object

Question 2

Terrestrial

Answer 2

Planets that are small and solid

Question 3

Gas giants

Answer 3

Planets that are large and gaseous

Question 4

Solar radiation

Answer 4

Energy released from the sun

Question 5

UV radiation

Answer 5

High energy radiation from the sun, helps the human body make
vitamin D

Question 6

Infrared radiation

Answer 6

Invisible energy in the form of heat, released by the Sun

Question 7

Universe

Answer 7

The ever-expanding expanse that contains everything that exists, i.e. galaxies, solar systems, stars and planets

Question 8

Comets

Answer 8

Balls of frozen dust, rock and ice that orbit the Sun

Question 9

Meteoroid

Answer 9

Large rock moving in the solar system that would become a meteor upon entry to the Earth’s atmosphere

Question 10

Meteor

Answer 10

A rock from space that burns up as it passes through the Earth’s
atmosphere. Colloquially known as “shooting stars”

Question 11

Meteorite

Answer 11

Meteoroid that is large enough to pass through the Earth’s atmosphere and reach the ground

Question 12

Solar eclipse

Answer 12

When the Moon moves in between the Earth and sun, causing a
shadow to fall on the Earth.

Question 13

Total lunar eclipse

Answer 13

When the Earth moves in between the Sun and the moon, causing a shadow to fall on the Moon which sometimes appears red

Question 14

Partial lunar eclipse

Answer 14

When only a part of the Moon is in the shadow of the Earth

Question 15

Astronomy

Answer 15

Study of the stars, planets and other objects that make up the universe

Question 16

Asteroids

Answer 16

Lumps of rock or metal that travel around the solar system orbiting the Sun, mostly between Mars and Jupiter