Space Flashcards
(37 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
A group of millions of stars held together by their gravity
Universe
Space and all matter and energy in it
Satellite
An object that orbits a more massive object
Impact crater
A round pit left behind on the surface of a planet after a smaller object strikes the surface
Rotation
Turning around on an axis
Revolution
The motion of one body around another, such as the Earth and 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 on 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 on the moon
Eclipse
An event during which one object in space casts a shadow onto Earth
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
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 gasses in a dense form
Asteroid
A small 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 Earth’s atmosphere at high speed
Meteorite
A small object from outer space that passes through Earth’s atmosphere and reaches the surface
Geocentric
Earth centered theory of the solar system
