Earth, Sun, and Moon
the Sun
the star in the center of our solar system; it is responsible for all the energy that exists on our planet in every form; it is roughly 93,000,000 miles away and sends us light energy; cannot support life and is made of gases (primarily hydrogen and helium)
astronomy
the study of objects in space
Earth
the third planet from the Sun; known as Gaia in Greek; has liquid water, a moderate atmosphere, and living organisms
phases
During the Moons orbit of the sun, we see different pha____ of the moon. (phases, phantoms)
natural
The moon orbits Earth so it is called a satellite of Earth. The Moon is a n_____ satellite as no-one built it or launched it into space. (naughty, natural)
star
What is the Sun? (star, planet, moon)
The Milky Way
What is the name of the galaxy in which our planet exists? (Milky Bar, Milky Way)
Sun
What is the name of the star that the Earth orbits? (Cursa, Sun)
East
Which way does the earth spin, towards the west or towards the east? (hint, the direction the Sun "rises") (west, east)
astro
a Latin root meaning "of the stars" or "space"
waning crescent
a lunar phase in which the view of the lit up side of the Moon is decreasing and barely visible from Earth
third quarter moon
a lunar phase in which the view of the lit up side of the Moon is decreasing and half of it is visible from Earth
waning gibbous
a lunar phase in which the view of the lit up side of the Moon is decreasing and most of it is visible from Earth
new moon
a lunar phase in which the view of the lit up side of the Moon is entirely hidden from Earth
full moon
a lunar phase in which the view of the lit up side of the Moon is entirely visible from Earth
waxing crescent
a lunar phase in which the view of the lit up side of the Moon is increasing and barely visible from Earth
first quarter moon
a lunar phase in which the view of the lit up side of the Moon is increasing and half of it is visible from Earth
waxing gibbous
a lunar phase in which the view of the lit up side of the Moon is increasing and most of it is visible from Earth
star
a massive collection of hydrogen and other gases that undergo fusion and emit light
asteroid belt
a region between the terrestrial and jovian planets where billions of asteroids are orbiting around the Sun; the dwarf planet Ceres is also located in this region
crater
an impact region caused by a meteor striking the surface of a planet or moon
planet
an object in space that orbits a star, has enough gravity to attain and keep a spherical shape, and moves on a elliptical orbit that fits the origin of its star's formation and gravitational pull
moon
an object that was naturally created and revolves around a planet
push or pull
A force is a ______or ______acting upon an object as a result of its interaction with another object. Gravity is a "non-contact" force. "Contact forces: include tension and friction. (push or pull, pink or purple)
365 days
A planet's year is the time it takes to make one complete orbit around the Sun. The Earth goes once round the Sun in one Earth year, in a normal year, how many days does it take? (19 days, 300 days, 365 days)
Gravity
All objects are attracted towards each other by a force, what is that force called? (friction, gravity, magnetism)
Leap year
As it takes takes the Earth just over 365 days to orbit the Sun once, we correct the calendar once every four years to include one extra day. This is called a L_____ year. (Light year, Leap year)
dwarf planet
objects in our solar system which do not fit the definition of planet, but resemble one
the Moon
Earth's only natural satellite; was created from ejected magma due to a collision with Earth and other planet billions of years ago; reflects sunlight and cannot support life
Force
Gravity is a _F_______. A force is a push or pull acting upon an object as a result of its interaction with another object. Gravity is a "non-contact" force, and other "non-contact" forces include electrical force and magnetic force. (force, fight)
massive object
Gravity only becomes noticeable when there is a really M_______ O_____, like a star, planet or moon. The Earth is held in orbit around the Sun by gravity. (massive object, major object)
28 days
How many days does it take for the Moon to orbit the earth? (6 days, 14 days, 28 days)
24 hours
How many hours does it take for the Earth to turn just once on its own axis? (36 hours, 24 hours, 12 hours)
12 months
How many months does it take for the Earth to orbit the sun? 2 months or 12 months?
Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
Name the 7 other planets in the Milky Way other than Earth? (Merc---, Venu-, Ma--, Jupit--, Satur-, Uran--, Nept---
Solar system
Our s____ s______ is made up of the Sun and the objects that orbit it, including eight planets as well as smaller objects made up of rock and ice.
more time
Planets that are further from the Sun move more slowly and take m____ t ____ or less time to complete an orbit? (more time, less time)
Tilt
The Earth spins at a slight angle or t___ on its orbital path. (tilt, turn)
seasons
The Earth's tilt towards or away from the Sun gives us s______. (sausages, sunlight, seasons)
Reflect
The Moon does not produce light. But it does re____ light from the Sun. (relax, return)
Earth
The Moon is a large ball of rock that moves around the E___. (Earth, meteorite)
gravitational force
The Moon is held in orbit around the Earth by a force. What is the name of that force? (Electrical force Gravitational force)
100 times
The Sun is how much bigger than the earth? (3 times, 10 times or 100 times)
Lunar Cycle
the change in appearance of Earth's Moon due to its revolution around us and our perspective of its lit up side
maria
the dark regions of cooled lava on Earth's Moon that serve as evidence that the Moon used to be volcanic in its past;
Neptune
the eighth and (currently) final planet from the Sun; known as Poseidon in Greek; is extremely cold and stormy
Jupiter
the fifth planet from the Sun; known as Zeus in Greek; the biggest planet in our solar system and the fastest rotating
Mercury
the first planet from the Sun; referred to as Hermes in Greek; revolves very fast around the Sun due to its close proximity
Mars
the fourth planet from the Sun; known as Ares in Greek; has ice polar caps, some liquid water, and reddish sediment; has a thin atmosphere and evidence of weathering and erosion (canyons) from its past
Venus
the second planet from the Sun; referred to as Aphrodite in Greek; known as Earth's twin due to its similar size and thick atmosphere; hottest planet and the slowest rotating
Uranus
the seventh planet from the Sun; its axis is completely leaning over on its side
Saturn
the sixth planet from the Sun; known as Cronus in Greek; has beautiful rings made of rock and ice