Earth, Sun, and Moon System Vocabulary

Front

Axis

Back

The imaginary line through Earth that extends from the North Pole to the South Pole and is the center of Earth's rotation.

Front

Cyclic Patterns

Back

A phenomenon or process that involves multiple steps and that repeats itself.

Front

Eclipse

Back

An obscuring of the light from a celestial body by the passage of an object between the celestial body and the observer or between the celestial body and its source of illumination.

Front

Lunar Eclipse

Back

The full moon passes into Earth's shadow, causing the Moon to appear reddish in color; lasts 1 - 3 ½ hours; (the order would be Sun, Earth and then Moon).

Front

Lunar Phases

Back

The shape of the illuminated portion of the Moon as seen by an observer, usually on Earth.

Front

Moon

Back

A celestial body that revolves around a planet.

Front

Orbit

Back

A curved path followed by a satellite as it revolves around an object.

Front

Seasons

Back

The four natural divisions of the year based on changes in temperature due to the varied amounts of sunlight; caused by the tilt of the Earth during revolution.

Front

Solar Eclipse

Back

The Moon passes between the Earth and Sun, covering all or part of the Sun; lasts for less than 12 minutes; (the order would be Sun, Moon, and then Earth).

Front

Solar System

Back

A star and the group of planets and other celestial bodies that are held by their gravitational attraction and revolve around the Sun.