Download Space Study Guide

Name: ___________________
Study Guide Due: _________________
Space Study Guide
Test Date: _________________
I. Ancient Astronomers: Use the word bank to fill in the blanks. Each word/phrase is used once.
Aristotle
Copernicus
Galileo
Ptolemy
Sun Centered
Earth Centered
telescope
Church
ancient
today
rotates on an axis
do not move
The geocentric model is an ______________ model. The ancient astronomers thought that this
________________________ model was created by the Gods in the sky. Not only was it
supported by the ____________, but the two ancient astronomers, ___________________ and
_________________, studied it and wrote about it.
The heliocentric model is the model we use ______________. Astronomers from the Renaissance
found proof that our solar system is actually ______________________. The two astronomers
used a _______________ and found proof that Earth _________________________ and
that the stars______________________. These astronomers, _____________________ and
______________________ both worked hard to prove to the Church and the people that the Sun
was the center of the solar system.
II. History & Technology of Space Exploration
There were two Space Shuttle disasters:
1. Challenger Tragedy: exploded a few seconds after take-off in __________ (year).
2. Columbia Disaster: exploded upon re-entry of Earth’s atmosphere in __________ (year).
Which space event occurred on July 20, 1969? _____________________________________.
A Mars Rover is a robotic ______________ that explores Mars to study the composition of rocks
and minerals, collects samples, and seeks for signs of life. Name two of the Mars Rovers that are
currently in a mission on Mars: _______________________________________________.
A satellite is an object that orbits a larger object. Thousands are now in orbit around Earth, and others
orbit the Moon, Sun, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. Natural objects in orbit are called natural
satellites. Human-made objects in orbit are called artificial satellites. Name a natural and an artificial
satellite that orbit around Earth.
Natural satellite: ________________
Artificial satellite: ___________________________
III. Solar System Overview: Name the planets in order of distance from the Sun. Classify each
planet as inner/outer and terrestrial/gas giant. Give one major detail about each planet.
Planet
Classification Inner/Outer
and Terrestrial/ Gas Giant
Major detail about the planet
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Dwarf Planets are like the rest of the planets except for one thing: they have not cleared their orbits of
smaller objects. They do not have enough gravity to do this. List the five recognized dwarf planets in
the solar system: _________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________.
An Astronomical Unit (AU) measures the distance in our solar system between planets and the Sun.
What is the distance in Astronomical Units (AU) between the Earth and the Sun? ___________ AU.
Give 4 reasons why Earth is so unique in our solar system, and referred to as the Goldilocks Planet.
1. ____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________.
2. ____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________.
3. ____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________.
4. ____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________.
IV. Earth’s Rotation and Revolution
1. ______ Rotation
A. The imaginary path a planet follows around
the Sun.
2. ______ Solstice
B. Spinning on an axis.
3. ______ Axis
C. One full orbit an object takes around another
object.
4. ______ Orbit
D. When the day and night hours are the same
amount in one day during Spring and Fall.
5. ______ Revolution
6. ______ Equinox
E. When there is the maximum amount of
sunlight in one day during Summer OR the
maximum amount of darkness in one day
during Winter.
F. The imaginary line the Earth rotates on.
What causes the seasons?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
What causes the day/night cycle?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
V. Moon Phases: Label the phases of the Moon and the direction in which it orbits around Earth.
VI. Tides and Gravitational Pull
Write “ST” for spring tide, “NP” for neap tide, or “both” if it applies to both type of tides.
1. ________ Has the largest the largest tidal range (the difference between high and low tide).
2. ________ Occurs when there is a First Quarter Moon or Last Quarter Moon.
3. ________ When the Moon and Sun form a right angle with the Earth.
4. ________ Happens twice a month.
5. ________ The combined gravity between the Sun, Moon, and Earth creates the strongest pull
on the water.
6. ________ Has the smallest tidal range (the difference between high and low tide).
7. ________ The combined gravity between the Sun, Moon, and Earth creates the weakest pull
on the water.
8. ________ Occurs when there is a New Moon or Full Moon.
9. ________ Caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun.
Label the type of tide, and illustrate the gravitational pull between the Sun, Earth, and Moon.
Sun
Moon
Earth
Sun
Earth
Moon
VII. Comets, Meteors, and Asteroids
Define one characteristic for each, and describe what each one is made out of.
Comet
Meteor
Asteroid