Earth, Sun, and Moon Vocab

Front

What is the term for the path that Earth follows as it revolves around the Sun?

Back

Orbit

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

Front

When the Earth is tilted the most toward or away from the sun, resulting in the longest or shortest day of the year, what is this called?

Back

Solstice

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What do we call the phase when the left half of the Moon is illuminated and the lunar cycle is in the waning phase?

Back

Third quarter moon

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is the imaginary line called that extends from the North Pole to the South Pole and is the center of Earth’s rotation?

Back

Axis

Front

What is the term for when the Earth's axis is tilted neither toward nor away from the sun, resulting in nearly equal amounts of sunlight and darkness?

Back

Equinox

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What is the term for the area of Earth that is divided by the equator into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres?

Back

Hemisphere

Front

What is the name of the event when the Sun is directly above the equator, resulting in equal day and night?

Back

Equinox

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is the term for the time it takes for the Moon to complete one full orbit around the Earth?

Back

Lunar month

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What do we call the phase of the Moon when it is completely illuminated?

Back

Full moon

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is the term for the gravitational pull of the Moon that causes ocean tides on Earth?

Back

Tidal force

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4