Astronomy Flashcard

Front

What is a nebula?

Back

An interstellar cloud of gas and dust

Front

Which hypothesis suggests that the solar system formed from a spinning cloud of dust and gas?

Back

Nebular hypothesis

Front

What is a solar system?

Back

A star and all of the planets and other objects that revolve around it

Front

What is an inner planet?

Back

One of the four planets closest to the sun

Front

What is a terrestrial planet?

Back

An Earth-like planet that is solid, dense, and rocky

Front

What is a gas giant?

Back

A planet composed mainly of hydrogen and helium

Front

What is a jovian planet?

Back

One of the four planets beyond the asteroid belt

Front

What is an asteroid?

Back

A small, irregularly shaped rocky body that orbits the sun

Front

What is a comet?

Back

A small icy object with a bright tail that orbits the sun

Front

What is a dwarf planet?

Back

A celestial body that has not cleared its orbit of other objects