Solar System Flashcards
(25 cards)
Nebula
a cloud of gas and dust in outer space, visible in the night sky either as an indistinct bright patch or as a dark silhouette against other luminous matter.
Solar Nebula
solar system began forming within a concentration of interstellar dust and hydrogen gas called a molecular cloud
Nuclear Fusion
a nuclear reaction in which atomic nuclei of low atomic number fuse to form a heavier nucleus with the release of energy.
Sunspot
They are regions of reduced surface temperature caused by concentrations of magnetic field flux that inhibit convection.
Terrestrial Planets
Within the Solar System, the terrestrial planets are the inner planets closest to the Sun, i.e. Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars
Prograde rotation
Having a rotational or orbital movement that is the same as most bodies within a celestial system
Retrograde Rotation
All eight planets in the Solar System orbit the Sun in the direction of the Sun’s rotation, which is counterclockwise when viewed from above the Sun’s north pole
Gas Giant
a large planet of relatively low density consisting predominantly of hydrogen and helium, such as Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, or Neptune.
Satellite
a satellite is an artificial object which has been intentionally placed into orbit
New Moon
the new moon is the first lunar phase, when the Moon and Sun have the same ecliptic longitude
Waxing Crescent
The moon is less than one-half illuminated by the sun but less than one quarter illuminated
1st QUARTER MOON
The First Quarter Moon is a primary Moon phase when we can see exactly half of the Moon’s surface illuminated
WAXING GIBBOUS
Waxing means that it is getting bigger. Gibbous refers to the shape, which is less than the full circle of a Full Moon, but larger than the semicircle shape of the Moon at Third Quarter
Full Moon
the phase of the moon in which its whole disk is illuminated
WANING GIBBOUS
Waning means that it is getting smaller. Gibbous refers to the shape, which is less than the full circle of a Full Moon, but larger than the semicircle shape of the Third Quarter Moon
Last quarter moon
The moon has moved another quarter of the way around Earth, to the third quarter position. The sun’s light is now shining on the other half of the visible face of the moon. Waning crescent: Less than half of the moon’s face appears to be getting sunlight, and the amount is decreasing
Waning Crescent
Waning’ refers to the shrinking of the Moon’s illumination and ‘Crescent’ means less than half of the Moon is illuminated. This phase signifies surrender
Solar Eclipse
solar eclipse occurs when an observer passes through the shadow cast by the Moon which fully or partially blocks the Sun.
Lunar eclipse
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly behind Earth and into its shadow.
Comet
A comet is an icy small Solar System body that, when passing close to the Sun, warms and begins
Asteroid
Asteroids are minor planets, especially of the inner Solar System. Larger asteroids have also been called planetoids
Asteroid Belt
The asteroid belt is the circumstellar disc in the Solar System located roughly between the orbits of the planets Mars and Jupiter. It is occupied by numerous irregularly shaped bodies called asteroids or minor planets.
Meteoroid
a small body moving in the solar system that would become a meteor if it entered the earth’s atmosphere.
Meteorite
A meteorite is a solid piece of debris from an object, such as a comet, asteroid, or meteoroid, that originates in outer space and survives its passage through the atmosphere to reach the surface of a planet or moon.
