IS Unit 2 Vocabulary

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Asteroid

Back

A small rocky body orbiting the sun, found mainly between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter in the asteroid belt.

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Astrology

Back

A belief system that suggests a relationship between the positions of celestial bodies and events on Earth.

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Astronomy

Back

The scientific study of celestial objects, space, and the universe as a whole.

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Celestial

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Pertaining to the sky or outer space as observed in astronomy.

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Comet

Back

A celestial object consisting of a nucleus of ice and dust, and when near the sun, a "tail" of gas and dust particles pointing away from the sun.

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Constellation

Back

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

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Galaxy

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A massive, gravitationally bound system consisting of stars, stellar remnants, interstellar gas, dust, and dark matter.

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Meteor

Back

A small body of matter from outer space that enters the earth's atmosphere, becoming incandescent as a result of friction and appearing as a streak of light.

Front

Meteorite

Back

A meteor that survives its passage through the earth's atmosphere and lands on the earth's surface.

Front

Meteoroid

Back

A small particle from a comet or asteroid orbiting the sun.