Earth and Space

Tilt

23.5 degrees Along with revolution causes a change in seasons.

H-R Diagram

A chart that shows the relationship between a star's brightness and temperature.

Nebula

A cloud of gas and dust. Stars are formed from these.

Galaxy

A collection of stars held together by gravity. There are 3 types: spiral, elliptical and irregular.

Cold Front

A front that is created when a cold air mass moves into a warm air mass.

Warm Front

A front that is created when a warm air mass moves into a cold air mass.

Light Year

A measurement of distance. The distance that light travels in 1 year.

Sun

A medium-sized star. Closest star to the Earth.

Convergent Boundary

Boundary where tectonic plates are colliding. Forms mountains, volcanoes and earthquakes.

Divergent Boundary

Boundary where tectonic plates are moving apart. Forms rift valleys and mid-ocean ridges.

Transform Boundary

Boundary where tectonic plates are sliding past each other. Results in earthquakes.

Ocean Current

Caused by absorption of solar energy (water circulates). Transfer lots of energy and causes weather and climate changes all over the Earth.

Global Wind

Caused by air circulation and Earth's rotation. Air rises and sinks because of heat (solar energy) absorbed by air.

Full Moon

Moon phase where Moon is 100% visible. Occurs when the Earth is in between the Moon and Sun.

New Moon

Moon phase where the Moon is not visible. Occurs when the Moon is in between the Earth and Sun.

Moon Phase

Occur because different portions of the Moon are being lit up by sunlight. Depend on the position of the Earth, Moon and Sun.

Tide

Occur because of the Moon's gravitational pull.

Lunar Eclipse

Occurs when Earth casts a shadow on the Moon. Earth is in the Middle (Full Moon).

Solar Eclipse

Occurs when the Moon casts a shadow on Earth. Moon is in the middle (New Moon).

Eclipse

Occurs when there is a perfect alignment between the Earth, Moon and Sun.

Continental Plate

Plates underneath land. Thicker but less dense.

Oceanic Plate

Plates underneath oceans. Thinner but more dense.

Low Pressure System

Pressure system caused by rising air. Results in cloud, rainy weather.

High Pressure System

Pressure system caused by sinking air. Results in clear, nice weather.

Pangaea

Supercontinent that existed over 200 million years ago.

Climate

The average weather experienced over a long period of time.

Convection Current

The circulation of magma in Earth's mantle. Causes plates to move around.

Weather

The conditions in a specific place at a specific time.

Lunar Cycle

The cycle that shows how the moon changes phases. Takes about 29.5 days to complete.

Wavelength

The distance from crest to crest OR trough to trough.

Gravity

The force that keeps all the planets in orbit around the Sun in our solar system. It also keeps all the stars in our galaxy together. It also keeps the Moon in its orbit around the Earth.

Amplitude

The height that a wave rises above or falls below a its resting position. Determines the strength of a wave.

Crest

The highest point of a wave.

Trough

The lowest point of a wave.

Big Bang Theory

The most accepted scientific theory of how the universe was created. The universe began at a single point and the point exploded to create our current universe.

Revolution

The movement of one object around another. On Earth causes a change in seasons.

Precipitation

The movement of water from clouds to Earth's surface. Examples: rain, sleet, snow, etc.

Condensation

The movement of water from gas to liquid (water vapor to water). Hint: Clouds

Evaporation

The movement of water from liquid to gas (water to water vapor).

Water Cycle

The movement of water through Earth's surface, ground and atmosphere.

Milky Way

The name of our galaxy. It is a spiral galaxy.

Frequency

The number of wavelenghts that pass a certain point per second.

Subduction

The process where one plates sinks below another

Rotation

The spinning of Earth on its axis. Causes changes in day and night.

Continental Drift

Theory that states that Earth's continents have moved over time.

Sea Floor Spreading

Theory that states that oceanic plates move away from each other and the gap is filled in with magma.

Plate Tectonics

Theory that states that the Earth's crust is made up of plates that shift and move.

Runoff

Water that flows across Earth's surface.

Transpiration

Water that is evaporated directly from plants.

Groundwater

Water that is stored underground. Examples: aquifer, well, etc.

Stationary Front

When a front does not move.

Waning Phase

When the visible portion of the Moon is decreasing. Light is on the right hand side of the Moon during the _______ _______.

Waxing Phase

When the visible portion of the Moon is increasing. Light is on the right hand side of the Moon during the _______ _______.