Unit 5.1: Components of the Solar System

Front

What is the path that a body follows as it travels around another body in space?

Back

Orbit

Front

What is a celestial body that orbits the sun, is round because of its own gravity, and has cleared the neighborhood around its orbital path?

Back

Planet

Front

How would you describe the orbit and speed of a comet?

Back

It orbits the sun in an elliptical path that is inclined relative to the orbital planes of the planets. The speed varies depending on its distance from the sun.

Front

How is the rotation at the equator of a star different from the rotation at the poles of the star?

Back

The equator rotates more rapidly than the poles.

Front

What is a bright streak of light that results when a meteoroid burns up in Earth's atmosphere?

Back

Meteor

Front

What is the region of space beyond Neptune that contains many small icy bodies?

Back

Kuiper Belt

Front

What is the hypothetical cloud of icy bodies believed to exist at the outermost reaches of the solar system?

Back

Oort Cloud

Front

What is the term for a small rocky body that orbits the sun, primarily found in the asteroid belt?

Back

Asteroid

Front

What is the name of the largest planet in our solar system?

Back

Jupiter

Front

What is the term for a celestial body that orbits a planet?

Back

Moon