8th Grade Unit #6 Astronomy and Solar System Concept Flash Cards

convection zone

• where hot gas moves up toward the surface and cooler gas moves deeper into the interior

• where gas remains stationary and does not circulate

• where cooler gas rises to the surface and hot gas sinks

• where gas is heated uniformly throughout

gravity

• A force of attraction between objects that is due to their masses.

• A type of energy that can be harnessed for power.

• A phenomenon that causes objects to float in space.

• A measure of the speed of an object in motion.

asteroid

• any of numerous small celestial bodies composed of rock and metal that move around the sun (mainly between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter)

• a large planet primarily made of gas and ice

• a small, icy body that releases gas or dust when it gets close to the sun

• a celestial body that orbits a planet

comet

• A large rock that orbits the sun without a tail

• A ball of frozen dust and rock that orbits the sun and has a tail that glows

• A star that emits light and heat

• A planet that revolves around the sun in a circular path

moon

• A natural satellite that revolves around a planet.

• A type of star that emits light.

• A large body of water on Earth.

• A planet in our solar system.

corona

• The outer layer of the sun's atmosphere.

• A type of solar flare.

• The inner core of the sun.

• A planet in the solar system.

solar system

• sun, planets, and all the other objects that revolve around the sun

• only the planets that orbit the sun

• the sun and its closest stars

• the collection of moons in our galaxy

Sun

• A typical star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system.

• A large planet known for its rings and many moons.

• A celestial body that orbits a star and reflects its light.

• A type of asteroid found in the asteroid belt.

dwarf planet

• An object that orbits the sun and is spherical, but has not cleared the area of its orbit.

• A small celestial body that is not spherical and does not orbit the sun.

• A large planet that has cleared its orbit of other debris.

• An object that orbits a planet rather than the sun.

heliocentric

• Based on the belief that the sun is the center of the universe

• Based on the belief that the earth is the center of the universe

• Based on the belief that the moon is the center of the universe

• Based on the belief that the stars are the center of the universe