Astronomy Vocabulary

Sun-centered model of the universe, promoted by Copernicus and Galileo in the 16th century

• Geocentric Model

• Heliocentric Model

• Telsa Model

• Galileo Model

A massive object orbiting a star like the Sun.

• Comet

• Moon

• Planet

• Satellite

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

The imaginary line that passes through the center of a planet from pole to pole

• Equator

• Longitude

• Prime Meridian

• Axis

Earth-centered model of the universe, the belief that the Sun, Moon, stars, and planets all orbit Earth, promoted by Ptolemy

• Geocentric Model

• Heliocentric Model

• Ptolemy Model

• Planetary Model

A rocky object that orbits the Sun (between Mars and Jupiter) but is too small to be considered a planet

• meteor

• asteroid

• comet

• Cinder block

Planets made mostly from rock and metal; include Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars

• Terrapin planets

• Jovian planets

• Gas Giants

• Terrestrial planets

Planets made mostly of hydrogen and helium; include Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

• Terrestrial planets

• Gas Giants

• Inner planets

• The BIg Guys

The region of the solar system between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, where many asteroids are found

• Oort Cloud

• Leather Belt

• Asteroid Belt

• Kuiper Belt

Measurement equal to 150 million km, or the distance from Earth to the Sun

• Light year

• Nautical Mile

• Astronomical Unit

• Parsec

An object in orbit around another object, can be natural or artificial

• Satellite

• Telescope

• Comet

• Moon

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2