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Astronomy
Astronomy vocabulary
31
Science
6th Grade
08/09/2017

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Term
asteroid
Definition
a small rocky body the orbits the sun; is not considered a planet
Term
Astronomy
Definition
the study of celestial objects, space and the universe
Term
atmosphere
Definition
the mixture of gases that surrounds the Earth or other celestial bodies
Term
axis of rotation
Definition
the imaginary line about which a rotating body, such as the earth, turns; tilted 23 degrees
Term
celestial body
Definition
any natural object outside Earth's atmosphere
Term
comet
Definition
celestial body of ice, dust, and a tail of gases and dust
Term
equinox
Definition
the time when the sun crosses the plane of the earth's equator, making night and day of approximately equal length all over the earth
Term
galaxy
Definition
a system of millions or billions of stars with gas, dust, and other celestial objects held together by gravity
Term
gravity
Definition
the force that attracts two objects together
Term
hemisphere
Definition
one half of the Earth; divided horizontally
Term
lunar eclipse
Definition
occurs when the moon enters the Earth's shadow
Term
meteor
Definition
a burning body of matter that has entered Earth's atmosphere; "shooting star"
Term
Milky Way
Definition
the galaxy that contains Earth's solar system
Term
NASA
Definition
National Aeronautics and Space Association
Term
orbit
Definition
the path of an object that revolves around another object
Term
planet
Definition
a celestial body that does not produce its own light; moves in an elliptical orbit around a star
Term
probe
Definition
an optical instrument for making distant objects appear larger and therefore nearer
Term
revolution
Definition
also known as orbit
Term
rotation
Definition
the turning of an object on its axis
Term
satellite
Definition
a natural body that revolves around a planet; a moon
Term
season
Definition
time of the year related to Earth's changing position
Term
solar eclipse
Definition
occurs when the moon comes between the Earth and the Sun
Term
solar system
Definition
a system of planets or other bodies that orbit a star
Term
solstice
Definition
either of the two times a year when the sun is at its greatest distance from the celestial equator
Term
space station
Definition
an orbiting manned structure that can be used for a variety of purposes, as to assemble or service satellites, refuel spacecraft, etc.
Term
telescope
Definition
an optical instrument for making distant objects appear larger and therefore nearer
Term
tide
Definition
the rising and falling of the water level of the oceans due to the pull of gravity
Term
tilted axis
Definition
the angle between an object's rotational axis
Term
universe
Definition
includes all existing matter and space
Term
waning
Definition
occurs when the moon appears to be shrinking
Term
waxing
Definition
occurs when the moon appears to be growing
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