Sci- Planets Vocab

Question 1

Orbit,

Answer 1

the circular path of an object as it revolves around another object

Question 2

Solar

Answer 2

a system of objects that revolve around a star

Question 3

System

Answer 3

a system of objects that revolve around a star

Question 4

Galaxy

Answer 4

a group of solar systems, dust, and gas held together by gravity; our solar system is part of the Milky Way galaxy

Question 5

Universe

Answer 5

everything that exists in, on and around the Earth

Question 6

Season

Answer 6

a period of the year determined by the position of Earth as it revolves around the sun

Question 7

Eclipse

Answer 7

an event that happens when the shadow of an object in space falls on the surface of another object

Question 8

asteroid

Answer 8

a small object made of rock or metal that orbits the sun

Question 9

Comet

Answer 9

a body of ice and dust that travels in a long narrow orbit around the sun

Question 10

Meteoright

Answer 10

a piece of rock or metal from space that strikes Earth’s surface

Question 11

heliocentric

Answer 11

having the sun as the center

Question 12

Gravity

Answer 12

a force that exists between any two objects that have mass (related word: gravitational)

Question 13

Tides

Answer 13

the rise and fall of the ocean’s surface levels due to the gravitational pull of the sun and moon (related word: tidal)

Question 14

Moon

Answer 14

a body in outer space that orbits a planet; a natural satellite

Question 15

Umbra

Answer 15

The dark central region of a shadow such as the cone of complete shadow cast by an object

Question 16

Equinox

Answer 16

In an orbit, a position and time in which sun shines equally on both hemispheres.

Question 17

Gibbous moon

Answer 17

More than half but less than fully illuminated

Question 18

Axis of rotation

Answer 18

An imaginary line about which a turning body such as rotates

Question 19

Heiliocentric Theory

Answer 19

A sun centered theory of the universe

Question 20

Meteor

Answer 20

A brief streak of light produced by a particle entering Earths atmosphere at high speed.

Question 21

Satellite

Answer 21

An object that orbits a more massive object.

Question 22

Solstice

Answer 22

In an orbit, a position and time during which one hemisphere receives the maximum sunlight

Question 23

Ellipse

Answer 23

An oval or flattened circle

Question 24

Full moon

Answer 24

The entire surface of the moon is illuminated.

Question 25

Mare

Answer 25

A large dark plain of solidified lava on the moon.

Question 26

Quarter moon

Answer 26

Half of the moon is illuminated

Question 27

Penumbra

Answer 27

A region of lighter shadow that may surround a dark central region.

Question 28

Waning

Answer 28

The gradual decrease in the illuminated surface of the moon

Question 29

Terrestrial planet

Answer 29

A planet that has a rocky surface.

Question 30

AU

Answer 30

Average distance from the sun which is 93,000,000 miles

Question 31

Gas giant

Answer 31

A large planet that consists mostly of gases in a dense form

Question 32

Season

Answer 32

One of a pattern of temperature changes and other weather trends over the course of a year

Question 33

Solar system

Answer 33

The Sun and its tamily of arbiting planets and moons and other

Question 34

Crescent moon

Answer 34

The ilurinated surtace is less than a qvanter illuminated

Question 35

Revaluation

Answer 35

The motion of one body around another, such as the Earth in its orbit around the Sun

Question 36

Waxing moon

Answer 36

Gradual increase of the of the moon