space Flashcards
physics (15 cards)
what is a galaxy?
a massive system of stars, planets, gas, dust, dark matter, all held together by gravity
what is a solar system?
contains objects that orbit a star
what is a constellation?
when stars make a recognizable pattern in the sky
what is a lunar eclipse?
when the sun goes into the shadow of the earth, making the moon look dark
what is a solar eclipse?
when the moon moves between the earth and the sun, blocking sunlight from reaching the earth
what is an asteroid belt?
a group of rocks between mars and jupiter
what is the cause of seasons?
caused by the tilt of the earths axis as it orbits the sun
what causes summer?
when the earths hemisphere is tilted more towards the sun making longer days and warmer weather
how many degrees is the axis of the earth tilted at?
23.5
how do we see the moon?
because sunlight aluminates the moon and the earths atmosphere helps us see it clearly
how is day and night caused?
earth spins on an axis, taking about 24 hours to complete one full turn, as it rotates the sun shines on different parts of the planet
what is a year caused by?
caused by the revolution around the sun, the earth orbits the sun, in a epilleptical path, taking 365.25 days to complete one full cycle.
what is the system of the moon?
the shape of the moon changes over a month because it orbits around the earth from it gravitational pull, called the lunar cycle, taking 29.5 to do it.
how does it change shape?
the moon reflects sunlight but only half of its time, and as the moon orbits the earth we see different amounts of its lit side, which makes it appear to change shape.
