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Universe
n. everything that exists,
including space, time, andmatter.
The universe is made up
of everything on Earth
and in space.
Sun
n. a massive shining sphere
of hot gas. It is the star
that is the central body of
the Solar System, around
which the planets revolve
and from which theyreceive light and heat.
The Sun is the center of
our Solar System.
Moon
n.the Earth's natural
satellite which orbits the
Earth. It has no light of itsown.
The Earths moon is full
of craters.
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astronomy
n.the science that studies
the Universe beyond theEarth's atmosphere.
Astronomy is the science
that helps us understand
the Universe.
Solar System
n.a system of planets
which revolve around the
Sun.
Our Solar System began
4.6 billion years ago.
constellation
n.various groups of stars
to which definite names
have been given, as UrsaMajor, Ursa Minor, Botes,Cancer,Orion.
A constellation is a group
of stars that appears to
form a pattern or
picture.
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galaxy
n. a large system of stars
held together by mutual
gravitation and isolatedfrom similar systems by
vast regions of space.
The Milky Way is our
galaxy.
meteorites
n.a mass of stone or metal
that has reached the
Earth from outer space; a
fallen meteoroid.
Meteorites are rocks
from space that actuallyhave landed on the
Earths or another
planets surface.
Milky Way
n.the spiral galaxy containingour Solar System. With the
naked eye it is observed as afaint luminous band stretchingacross the heavens, composedof approximately a trillionstars, most of which are toodistant to be seen individually.
Our Solar System is inside
the Milky Way galaxy.
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star
n.any of the heavenly
bodies, except the moon,appearing as fixed luminous
points in the sky at night.
The Sun is a star.
asteroids
n.also called minor planets.Any of the thousands of
small bodies measuringfrom 775 km to less than
1.6 km in diameter that
revolve around the sun.
Asteroids are rockybodies that orbit the
Sun.
planet
n. a planet is a spherical ball ofrock and/or gas that orbits astar. The Earth is a planet. OurSolar System has eight
planets. These planets are, inorder of increasing average
distance from the Sun:Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars,Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus andNeptune.
Pluto is no longer
considered a planet.
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=minor%20planet&db=lunahttp://space.about.com/od/glossaries/g/star.htmhttp://space.about.com/cs/solarsystem/p/earthinfo.htmhttp://space.about.com/od/planets/Planets_Information_on_Planets_in_Our_Solar_System.htmhttp://space.about.com/cs/solarsystem/p/suninfo.htmhttp://space.about.com/cs/solarsystem/p/mercuryinfo.htmhttp://space.about.com/cs/solarsystem/p/venusinfo.htmhttp://space.about.com/cs/solarsystem/p/earthinfo.htmhttp://space.about.com/cs/solarsystem/p/marsinfo.htmhttp://space.about.com/cs/solarsystem/p/jupiterinfo.htmhttp://space.about.com/cs/solarsystem/p/saturninfo.htmhttp://space.about.com/cs/solarsystem/p/uranusinfo.htmhttp://space.about.com/cs/solarsystem/p/neptuneinfo.htmhttp://space.about.com/cs/solarsystem/p/neptuneinfo.htmhttp://space.about.com/cs/solarsystem/p/uranusinfo.htmhttp://space.about.com/cs/solarsystem/p/saturninfo.htmhttp://space.about.com/cs/solarsystem/p/jupiterinfo.htmhttp://space.about.com/cs/solarsystem/p/marsinfo.htmhttp://space.about.com/cs/solarsystem/p/earthinfo.htmhttp://space.about.com/cs/solarsystem/p/venusinfo.htmhttp://space.about.com/cs/solarsystem/p/mercuryinfo.htmhttp://space.about.com/cs/solarsystem/p/suninfo.htmhttp://space.about.com/od/planets/Planets_Information_on_Planets_in_Our_Solar_System.htmhttp://space.about.com/cs/solarsystem/p/earthinfo.htmhttp://space.about.com/od/glossaries/g/star.htmhttp://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=minor%20planet&db=luna8/2/2019 4 Vocabulary Cards the Universe & the Solar System
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Mercury
n.is the closest planet to
the Sun and the eighth
largest. It is called a rockyplanet because it is
composed primarily of rock
and metal.
Mercury has no moons.
Venus
n.is the second planet
from the Sun and the sixth
largest in the Solar
System. It is called a rocky
planet because it is
composed primarily of rockand metal.
Venus is almost the same
size as the Earth.
Earth
n. is the third planet from
the Sun and the
fifth largest. It is called arocky planet because it iscomposed primarily of rock
and metal.
The Earth is the only
planet we know that has
life.
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Mars
n. is the fourth planet fromthe Sun and the seventhlargest. It is called a rocky
planet because it is composedprimarily of rock and metal.
Mars is known as the red
planet.
Jupiter
n. is the fifth planet from the
Sun and the largest planet of
the Solar System. It is called a
gas or Jovian planet because it
is composed primarily of
hydrogen and helium.
Jupiter is the largest planet
in our Solar System.
Saturn
n. is the sixth planet from the
Sun and the second largest. It
is called a gas or Jovian planet
because it is composedprimarily of hydrogen and
helium.
Saturn is best known for its
beautiful rings.
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Uranus
n. is the seventh planet from
the Sun and the third largest.
It is called a gas or Jovianplanet because it is composed
primarily of hydrogen and
helium.
Uranus was the first planet
discovered by telescope.
Neptune
n. is the eighth planet from
the Sun and the fourth
largest. It is called a gas or
Jovian planet because it is
composed primarily of
hydrogen and helium.
Neptune spins on its axis
once every 16 hours.
axis
n. an imaginary line
through the Earth which
runs from pole to pole. It isthe line about which a rotating
body turns.
Earths axis is tilted at 23.5
degrees in relation to the
plane of its orbit.
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phases
n.the particular
appearance presented by
the Moon or a planet at a
given time.
The lunar phases vary
cyclically as the Moon
orbits the Earth.
crescent
adj. the figure of the
Moon in its first or last
quarter, resembling a
banana.
A crescent Moon looks
like a banana.
satellite
n. move in orbits aroundplanets, just as the planets
orbit around the Sun.
The moon is the Earths
natural satellite.
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waning
v. (of the moon) todecrease periodically in
the extent of itsilluminated portion after
the full Moon.
The Moon is waning when
it progressively reflectsless light.
waxing
v. to show a progressivelylarger illuminated area, as
the Moon does in passing
from new to full.
The Moon is waxing when
it progressively reflects
more light.
orbit
v.to move or travel around
in an orbital or elliptical
path the way a planet,
satellite, spaceship, etc.,
moves around a celestial
body, like the Sun.
The planets orbit the
Sun.
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sphere
n.a shape like a ball.
The Sun and the planets
are shaped like a
sphere.
rotate
v. to cause to turn aroundan axis or center point.
The Moon and the Earth
rotate around their axis.
eclipse
n.the hiding of light.
A total lunar eclipse
occurs when a full Moon
passes through the
Earth's shadow during its
orbit.
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solar eclipse
n. hiding of the light of the
Sun because of the position of
the Moon between the Sun and
a point on the Earth.
A total eclipse occurs
when the Sun is
completely hidden by the
Moon.
lunar eclipse
n. hiding of the light ofthe Moon because of the
position of the Earth
between the Moon and the
Sun.
There is always a fullmoon when a lunar eclipse
occurs.
sunrise
n.when the part of the
Earth turns so it is lit by
the Sun. It is the time
when half the sun has risenabove the horizon.
Sunrise is also known as
dawn.
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sunset
n.When the Earth moves
around so it isnt lit by theSun. It is the setting or
descent of the sun below
the horizon in the evening.
Sunset is also known as
dusk.
East
n.a cardinal point of the
compass, 90 to the right
of north. It is where the
Sun rises.
The Sun rises in the
East.
West
n. a cardinal point of the
compass, 90 to the left of
north. It is where the Sunsets.
The Sun sets in the
West.
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Seasons
n.period of the year
characterized byparticular conditions of
weather and temperature
depending on the position
of the Earth with respect
to the Sun.
The seasons depend on
the position of the Earth
in relation to the Sun.
gravity
n. the force that pulls us
towards the centre of the
Earth.
Gravity keeps the
planets in orbit.
tilt
n. being inclined in a
sloping position away from
the axis.
The axis of the Earth is
tilted at 23.5 degrees.
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comet
n. a celestial body with a
solid core of frozen water,frozen gases, and dust.
When it travels near the
Sun, it leaves a long bright
trail of light behind it.
Halleys comet is the
most famous comet inhistory.