Download Universe and Solar System Study Guide

Universe Study Guide
Name: __________________________________________
The test on this unit will be given on ____________________________________________.
1. Scientific Theory: an explanation that is supports by ___________________ experimentation or
testing. It has _______________________ to back it up.
2. Geocentric Theory: theory that stated the _____________ is at the _____________ of the revolving
planets and stars. Proposed by ancient _________________. This was ______________ correct.
3. Heliocentric Theory: theory that states the ___________ was the ____________ of the revolving
planets and stars. Proposed by Nicholas ________________________ and later was proven by
________________ Galileo. THIS IS WHAT WE BELIEVE _______________.
_________________ is the length of time required for a planet to make one complete trip around the Sun.
_________________ is the length of time required for a planet to make one complete turn on its axis.
Our Solar System:
4. Our Solar System was formed from a collapsing cloud of gas and dust called a ______________
5. Our Solar System is divided into _____________________ and ____________________ planets.
6. Inner Planets are ________________ to the sun and include: ______________, _________________,
__________________, and ______________________.
7. Outer Planets are _____________________ from the sun and include: _________________,
________________, __________________, _________________, and Dwarf Planet __________
8. An _____________________ _________________ divides the Inner and Outer Planets.
9. Comparison of the Inner and Outer Planets.
Inner Planets (terrestrial – ___________ = Earth)
1. Smaller Planets
2. ________________ Surface
3. No to few _____________________
4. Atmospheres are made of heavier
_____________________
5. Faster _____________ around the sun.
Outer Planets: Nickname ______ _______
1. Larger Planets
2. ___________ surface
3. Many _______________________
4.______________________ are made of
lightweight elements
5.__________________ orbit around the sun.
10. Only Earth has the necessary ____________________ to support human life such as
_________________, liquid _________________, and _______________________ temperatures.
The pull of gravity on Earth is a direct result of the _______ of Earth. The ________ ________ in
the Earth’s upper atmosphere is important to living organisms because it absorbs harmful
______________ radiation from the Sun. Mercury has a large range of temperatures because the
planet lacks and _______________ to hold the _______. ____________ is sometimes called
Earth’s twin because it is the same size and density. Venus also has the highest surface
_________________ because its atmosphere has thick clouds and __________ ____________.
______________ is NOT a gas giant because it is dense and rocky. _________ may once have had a
warmer climate because it has features like dry river beds. Mars may have had surface ________
or flowing __________ at one time. Uranus is considered a gas giant because it has a deep,
massive __________________. _____________ has a hurricane-type cloud known as the Great
Red Spot. The ________________ _______ is most useful for measuring distances within the solar
system.
Other Small Bodies in the Solar System:
11. Comets: a small body of __________, __________________, and cosmic _______________ that
follows an elliptical ______________ around the sun. It gives off gas and dust in the form of a
____________ as it passes close to the _________________. The tail always points
_________________ from the sun due to _________________ _________________________.
12. Asteroids: a small, rocky object that _____________ the _____________________, usually in a
band between the orbit of _____________________ and ______________________________.
13. Meteoroid: small, rocky body that __________________ through _________________.
14. Meteor: bright streak of _____________________ that results when a meteoroid
______________ up in the __________________ atmosphere. Sometimes called a “shooting star”
15. Meteorite: A meteoroid that reaches _________________ surface without burning up completely.
REMEMBER:
meteorOid is in Outer space
Meteor is a meteoroid minus the oid (oid is burning in the atmosphere)
meteorITE has taken a bITE out of the Earth
Planets or moons with ___________________ have fewer impacts because the air in the atmosphere _________ and
_________ up small objects.
Stars begin to glow when the ________________ in the star begin to spin.
Beyond our Solar System:
16. Galaxies: a collection of __________________, dust, and gas bound together by _____________
17. Our solar system is part of the _____________ __________________ Galaxy.
18. It is ___________________ in shape. We are located about 2/3 of the way out in one of the
______________arms. The three types of galaxies identified by Edwin Hubble are spiral,
________________, and ______________.
Formation of the Universe:
19. _________ ____________ Theory: theory that states the universe began with a tremendous
explosion where all matter and energy was ___________________. The universe is expanding
______________. According to this theory, the universe is about _______ billion years old. One
way scientists calculate the age of the universe is measure the distance from ___________ to
various ______________.
Largest to Smallest:
_______________________________, ________________________,
_______________________, ______________________________, ____________________________