Space Vocabulary

Question 1

Universe

Answer 1

Space and all the matter and energy in it.

Question 2

Meteorite

Answer 2

A small object from outer space that passes through Earth’s atmosphere and reaches the surface.

Question 3

Quarter Moon

Answer 3

Half of the moon is illuminated.

Question 4

New moon

Answer 4

The entire surface of the moon is not illuminated.

Question 5

Astronautical Units

Answer 5

Average distance from the sun which is 93,000,000 miles.

Question 6

Revolutions

Answer 6

The motion of one body around another, such as the Earth in it’s orbit around the Sun.

Question 7

Crescent moon

Answer 7

The illuminated surface is less than a quarter illuminated.

Question 8

Penumbra

Answer 8

A region of lighter shadow that may surround a dark central region.

Question 9

Mare

Answer 9

A large dark plan of solidified lava on the moon.

Question 10

Galaxy

Answer 10

Millions and billions of stars held together in a group by their own gravity.

Question 11

Umbria

Answer 11

The dark central region of a shadow such as the cone of complete shadow cast by an object.

Question 12

Comet

Answer 12

A body that produces a coma of gas and dust, a small icy body that orbits the Sun.

Question 13

Eclipse

Answer 13

An event during which one object in space cast a shadow onto another.

Question 14

Gibbs moon

Answer 14

More than half but less than fully illuminated.

Question 15

Orbit

Answer 15

The path of an object in space as it moves around another object due to gravity.

Question 16

Heliocentric theory

Answer 16

A Sun centered theory of the universe.

Question 17

Tide

Answer 17

The rise and fall of the oceans caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and Sun.

Question 18

Waning

Answer 18

The gradual decrease in the illuminated surface of the moon.

Question 19

Geocentric theory

Answer 19

Earth centered theory of the solar system.

Question 20

Ellipses

Answer 20

An oval or flattened surface.

Question 21

Seasons

Answer 21

One of a pattern of temperature changes and other weather trends over the course of a year.

Question 22

Gravity

Answer 22

The force that objects exert on one another because of their mass.

Question 23

Impact creater

Answer 23

A round pit left behind on the surface of a planet after a smaller object strikes the surface.

Question 24

Solar system

Answer 24

The sun and it’s family of orbiting planets

Question 25

Gas giant

Answer 25

A lager planet that con