Earth and Space Science Vocabulary

To spin around and around

• revolve

• rotate

• roll

• rebound

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

An imaginary line through the middle of an object, around which that object spins

• axle

• axiom

• axis

• axolotl

To keep turning in a circle or orbit around a central point or object

• rotate

• ellipses

• circuit

• revolve

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

The invisible path followed by an object circling a planet, the sun, or another star.

• orbit

• origami

• equinox

• solstice

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

An orbit that follows a path that resembles a squashed circle.

• egg orbit

• spherical orbit

• elliptical orbit

• typical orbit

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

This word means incoming solar radiation, or the amount of the sun’s energy that reaches Earth

Earth’s tilt on its axis affects the amount of ____________ that reaches different latitudes.

• inundation

• sunlight

• solstices

• insolation

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Any natural body that revolves around a planet

• satellite

• moon

• comet

• asteroid

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

A darkening of the moon by its entering the shadow of the earth

• lunar eclipse

• solar eclipse

• meteor shower

• asteroid belt

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

A complete of partial hiding of the sun caused by the moon’s passing behind the sun and the earth

• elliptical orbit

• sun cover

• solar eclipse

• lunar eclipse

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

The mixture of gasses that surrounds a planet

• heliosphere

• atmosphere

• moonosphere

• planosphere