S6E1 Vocabulary

Meteor

• A type of cloud formation

• The visible streak of light that occurs when a meteoroid enters the Earth's atmosphere and vaporizes; also known as a shooting star.

• A small rocky body that orbits the sun

• A large celestial body that can cause extinction events

Gravity

• A force that repels objects away from each other.

• A natural phenomenon by which all things with mass or energy are brought toward one another, including planets, stars, and galaxies.

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

• A scientific theory that explains the motion of celestial bodies.

Big Bang Theory

• The theory that all matter of the universe started in one gathered point then spread out after an explosion.

• A hypothesis that suggests the universe is static and unchanging.

• A concept that explains the formation of black holes in the universe.

• A theory proposing that the universe will eventually collapse in on itself.

Meteorite

• A solid piece of debris from an object that survives its passage through the atmosphere to hit the surface of a planet or moon.

• A type of star that emits light and heat.

• A celestial body that orbits a planet or star.

• A gaseous cloud in space that forms stars.

Geocentric Theory

• An astronomical theory which describes the universe as a system where Earth is at the center and all other objects orbit Earth

• A theory that states the Sun is at the center of the universe and all planets orbit around it

• A model that suggests the Earth is flat and surrounded by a dome of stars

• A hypothesis that claims the universe is infinite and has no center

Heliocentric Theory

• The model where the Earth is at the center of the Solar System.

• The model where the Sun is at the center of the Solar System and the Earth and planets revolve around it.

• The model that describes the Earth as flat and stationary.

• The model where all celestial bodies revolve around the Earth.

Milky Way

• A galaxy that contains our Solar System, characterized by its spiral shape.

• A type of star cluster found in the universe.

• A planet known for its rings and moons.

• A black hole located at the center of the universe.

Asteroid

• A small rocky body orbiting the sun, found mainly in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

• A large gaseous planet located beyond Neptune.

• A celestial object that burns up upon entering Earth's atmosphere.

• A frozen mass of ice and dust that orbits the sun.

Spiral Galaxy

• A type of galaxy characterized by a flat, rotating disk containing stars, gas, and dust, and a central concentration of stars known as the bulge.

• A galaxy that has an irregular shape and lacks a distinct form.

• A type of galaxy that is primarily composed of old stars and has little gas and dust.

• A galaxy that is formed from the collision of two or more galaxies.

Comet

• A large, rocky body that orbits the Sun and has a solid surface.

• An icy, small Solar System body that, when passing close to the Sun, warms and begins to release gases, forming a tail.

• A massive star that has exploded in a supernova, leaving behind a neutron star.

• A planet that is primarily composed of gas and has no solid surface.