Astronomy and Space Terms

Front

A spin on a planet’s axis

Back

Rotation

Front

An imaginary line from the North Pole to the South Pole, that the Earth spins on.

Back

Axis

Front

The illusion that something in the sky is moving when it’s really the Earth.

Back

Apparent Motion

Front

The movement of an object around another due to gravity.

Back

Revolution

Front

The path an object takes around another object.

Back

Orbit

Front

Half of a planet

Back

Hemisphere

Front

When there is equal daylight and night

Back

Equinox

Front

When there is either maximum daylight or night

Back

Solstice

Front

The changing appearance of the moon from Earth in a regular cycle

Back

Phases

Front

The blocking of light when one object comes in front of another.

Back

Eclipse