Earth science Astronomy Unit

Front

Which planet has the shortest day?

Back

Jupiter has the shortest day in our solar system, completing a rotation on its axis in about 10 hours.

Front

What is the shape of the orbits of planets in our solar system?

Back

The orbits of planets in our solar system are elliptical, meaning they are shaped like elongated circles.

Front

During which month is the Earth closest to the Sun?

Back

The Earth is closest to the Sun in January, a point known as perihelion.

Front

What does Hubble’s Law state about galaxies?

Back

Hubble’s Law states that galaxies are moving away from us, and the farther away a galaxy is, the faster it is receding.

Front

What galaxy do we live in?

Back

We live in the Milky Way galaxy, which is a barred spiral galaxy.

Front

What is the period of rotation?

Back

The period of rotation is the time it takes for a planet to complete one full spin on its axis.

Front

What is an eclipse?

Back

An eclipse occurs when one celestial body moves into the shadow of another celestial body.

Front

What is the difference between rotation and revolution?

Back

Rotation is the spinning of a planet on its axis, while revolution is the movement of a planet around the Sun.

Front

What is the significance of the equinox?

Back

An equinox occurs when day and night are approximately equal in length, marking the change of seasons.

Front

What is a light year?

Back

A light year is the distance that light travels in one year, approximately 5.88 trillion miles.