Solar System Flashcards
(34 cards)
Orbit
the path of an object in space as it moves around another object due to gravity
Solar System
The sun and its family of orbiting planets and moons and other objects
Galaxy
Millions and billions of stars held together in a group by their own gravity
Universe
Space and all the matter and energy in it.
Satellite
An object that orbits a more massive object
Impact Crater
A round pit left behind in the surface of a planet after a smaller objects strikes the surface
Axis of Rotation
An imaginary line about which a turning body such as Earth rotates
Revolution
The motion of one body around another such as the earth in its orbit around the sun.
Season
One of a pattern of temperature changes and other weather trends over the course of a year
Equinox
In an orbit, a position and time in which sun shines equally in both hemispheres
Solstice
In an orbit, a position and time during which one hemisphere receives the maximum sunlight.
Mare
A large dark plain of solidified lava in the moon
Eclipse
An event during which one object in space casts a shadow onto another.
Umbra
The dark central region of a shadow such as the cone of complete shadow cast by an object
Penumbra
A region of lighter shadow that may surround a dark central region
Astronomical Unit ( AU )
Average distance from the sun which is 93,000,000 miles
Ellipse
An oval or flattened circle
Terrestrial Planet
A planet that has a rocky surface
Gas Giant
A large planet that consists mostly of gases in a condensed form
Astroid
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 brief streak of light produced by a particle entering Earths atmosphere at high speed
Meteorite
A small object from outer space that passes through Earths atmosphere and reaches the surface
Geocentric
Earths centered theory of the solar system
