Astronomy Vocabulary Flashcard

Front

A huge system of gases, dust, and stars

Back

galaxy

Front

A group of objects that orbit in the center and the star

Back

solar system

Front

A huge ball of superheated gas

Back

star

Front

An imaginary line that extends through both poles of a planet

Back

Axis

Front

A large object that orbits a star

Back

Planet

Front

A group of stars that form a recognizable pattern that is traditionally named after its shape or identified with a mythological figure.

Back

constellation

Front

All existing matter and space considered as a whole

Back

the universe

Front

Small rocky bodies that orbit the sun

Back

Asteroids

Front

A piece of rock or metal that burns and glows brightly in the sky as it falls from outer space into the earth's atmosphere.

Back

Meteor

Front

The shape of the illuminated (sunlit) portion of the moon as seen by an observer, usually on earth

Back

Moon phase