Unit 1 - Space Exploration Flashcards
(21 cards)
What is a galaxy?
A large cluster of stars, such as the Milky Way or Andromeda.
What is a star?
A large ball of matter undergoing nuclear fusion and emitting light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation.
What is a solar system?
A central star orbited by planets.
What is a planet?
A large ball of matter that orbits a star and does not emit light itself.
What is an exoplanet?
A planet that exists around another star outside of our solar system.
What is a moon?
A natural satellite that orbits a planet.
What is a dwarf planet?
An object that orbits a star but is not large or spherical enough to be considered a small planet.
What is an asteroid?
A small rocky or metallic object orbiting the Sun, smaller than a dwarf planet.
What is a comet?
A small icy object with a vast orbit that can take centuries to complete.
What is a satellite?
A moon, planet, or machine that orbits a planet or star.
What is a geostationary satellite?
A satellite that orbits Earth at 36,000 km and appears to hover over the same point on Earth.
Why are satellites important?
They collect data about Earth and space, assist in communication, GPS, and weather prediction.
What is one challenge of space travel?
The vast distances between objects in space.
What is an astronomical unit (AU)?
The distance from the Earth to the Sun.
What is manoeuvring in space like?
Objects continue moving at constant speed once thrusters stop due to lack of friction.
What is a gravitational slingshot?
A technique using gravity to increase a spacecraft’s velocity.
What are some NASA innovations used on Earth?
Water filters, memory foam, scratch-resistant lenses, etc.
What are the risks of space exploration?
Micrometeorites, solar radiation, vacuum, extreme temperatures, space debris.
How do spacecraft survive re-entry?
Using heatproof tiles that absorb and radiate heat to protect from high temperatures.
What is the difference between mass and weight?
Mass is the amount of matter; weight is the gravitational force on that mass.
How is weight calculated?
Weight = mass × gravitational field strength (W = m × g).
