Solar System Vocabulary

Front

Rotate means:

Back

to spin

Front

A rock that orbits the sun is called a:

Back

asteroid

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Front

A man-made object or vehicle intended to orbit the earth or the moon is a:

Back

satellite

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

Front

The star at the center of our solar system is the:

Back

Sun

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

A pattern of stars that form an imaginary picture or design in the sky is called a:

Back

Constellation

Front

What is a comet?

Back

A small icy body that, when passing close to the sun, heats up and begins to release gases, forming a glowing coma and sometimes a tail.

Front

What is a meteorite?

Back

A piece of rock or metal from space that survives its passage through the Earth's atmosphere and lands on the surface.

Front

What is a gas giant?

Back

A large planet that is mostly made of gases, such as Jupiter and Saturn.

Front

What is the asteroid belt?

Back

A region of space between Mars and Jupiter where many asteroids orbit the sun.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Front

What is the difference between a planet and a star?

Back

A planet orbits a star and does not produce its own light, while a star generates light and heat through nuclear fusion.