space Flashcards
(18 cards)
What is the order of 8 planets in our solar system from smallest to biggest?
Mercury, Mars, Venus, Earth, Neptune, Uranus, Saturn, Jupiter
Mercury is the smallest planet, while Jupiter is the largest.
What is the order of 8 planets in our solar system from closest to farthest from the Sun?
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun.
What are terrestrial planets?
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars
Terrestrial planets are characterized by rocky surfaces.
What are gas giants?
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
Gas giants have thick atmospheres and are mostly composed of hydrogen and helium.
What is the difference between Earth’s rotation and revolution?
Rotation is the spinning of Earth on its axis; revolution is Earth’s orbit around the Sun
One rotation takes approximately 24 hours, while one revolution takes about 365.25 days.
Fill in the blank: Weight is a measure of _______ while mass is a measure of matter.
gravity
Weight changes with gravity, but mass remains constant.
Define the asteroid belt and its location.
A region in space between Mars and Jupiter containing numerous asteroids
The asteroid belt is located in the inner solar system.
Why do we have day and night?
Due to Earth’s rotation on its axis
As Earth rotates, different parts face the Sun or are in shadow.
Why do we have seasons?
Due to the tilt of Earth’s axis as it orbits the Sun
This tilt causes varying sunlight intensity and duration throughout the year.
Define the Milky Way galaxy.
The galaxy that contains our solar system and billions of other stars
It is a barred spiral galaxy.
What is our solar system?
A collection of the Sun and the celestial bodies bound to it by gravity
This includes planets, moons, asteroids, and comets.
What is the universe?
The vast expanse that includes all of space, time, matter, and energy
It contains billions of galaxies.
Define an asteroid.
A small rocky body that orbits the Sun, primarily found in the asteroid belt
Asteroids vary in size and shape.
Define a meteor.
A small particle from space that enters Earth’s atmosphere and produces a flash of light
This flash is commonly referred to as a shooting star.
Define a meteorite.
A meteor that survives its passage through the atmosphere and lands on Earth
Meteorites can provide valuable scientific information.
Define a comet.
A small icy body that, when close to the Sun, displays a visible atmosphere and sometimes a tail
Comets originate from the outer regions of the solar system.
What are stars?
Massive celestial bodies made of gas that produce light and heat through nuclear fusion
The Sun is an example of a star.
What are shooting stars?
Another term for meteors, which are visible when meteoroids enter the Earth’s atmosphere
The term is a misnomer, as they are not actually stars.
