Space E.5 Vocabulary

A rocky object that orbits the Sun and is much smaller than a planet or moon.

• Asteroid

• Meteorite

• Crater

• Moon

A large collection of stars, gases, and dust that are part of the universe

• Galaxy

• Solar System

• Universe

• Star

large bodies that orbit the sun within the asteroid belt; smaller, rocky bodies.

• Inner Planet

• Outer Planet

• Moon

• Sun

A natural mass that revolves around a planet.

• Moon

• Planet

• Star

• Rotation

A large body that orbits a star.

• Planet

• Dwarf Planet

• Solar System

• Revolution

When one object orbits another object.

• Revolution

• Rotation

• Planet

• Moon

A large object in space made of gas and produces its own light.

• Star

• Moon

• Asteroid

• Comet

A space body made of ice and dust, and often develops one or more long tails when near the Sun.

• Comet

• Asteroid

• Meteor

• Meteorite

Large bodies that orbit outside of the asteroid belt; larger, gaseous bodies.

• Outer Planet

• Inner Planet

• Dwarf Planet

• Sun

When an object turns, or spins, on an axis or a center.

• Rotation

• Revolution

• Planet

• Galaxy