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Rotation
Revolution
Axis
Credit: Nate Kepler, Lenore Wilson, Katie Brown, Shuksan Middle School
To turn or spin
around a central
point or axis.
To move in a curved
path around a central
object, such as a star
or a planet.
An imaginary line that
goes through the
center of the earth
from the north pole
to the south pole.
Satellite
Orbit
Solar System
Credit: Nate Kepler, Lenore Wilson, Katie Brown, Shuksan Middle School
A natural object that
orbits another object
in space.
The curved path of an
object around a
central object in
space.
A system of planets
or other bodies
orbiting another star
Galaxy
Universe
Credit: Nate Kepler, Lenore Wilson, Katie Brown, Shuksan Middle School
Group of billions of
stars and their
planets, within the
universe.
All matter and
energy, including
galaxies, solar
systems, and all of
the contents of
space.
Star
A sphere of hot
glowing gases that
releases energy in the
form of heat and
light.
Planet
A massive, spherical
space object that
orbits a star.
(also, clears it’s
neighborhood)
Summer
Solstice
When the Earth’s
axis (North) is tilted
toward the sun (June
21st)
Credit: Nate Kepler, Lenore Wilson, Katie Brown, Shuksan Middle School
Winter
Solstice
When the Earth’s
axis (North) it tilted
away from the sun
(December 21st)
Equinox
Two times of the year
(fall or spring) when
the north and south
poles are equal
distance from the
sun.
Comet
A mass of frozen gas,
cosmic dust, ice
crystals, and organic
material that orbits
the sun.
Credit: Nate Kepler, Lenore Wilson, Katie Brown, Shuksan Middle School
Asteroid
Meteoroid
Meteor
Credit: Nate Kepler, Lenore Wilson, Katie Brown, Shuksan Middle School
A mostly rocky object
that orbits the sun.
Asteroids are larger
than meteoroids.
A solid object moving
in space/ smaller than
an asteroids.
The streak of light
(shooting star) that is
produced when a
meteoroid burns as it
enters an atmosphere
A meteoroid that
strikes a planet
Meteorite
Moon Phases
Waxing
Credit: Nate Kepler, Lenore Wilson, Katie Brown, Shuksan Middle School
The phase of the moon
when it is getting
larger in the sky,
moving from the New
Moon headed for the
Full Moon.
Moon Phases
Waning
The phases of the moon
when it is getting
smaller in the sky,
moving from the Full
Moon headed for the
New Moon.
Ellipse
(Elliptical)
The oval shaped path
of a celestial body as
it revolves around
another object.
Credit: Nate Kepler, Lenore Wilson, Katie Brown, Shuksan Middle School
Lunar Eclipse
When the Moon passes
behind the Earth so that
the Earth blocks the
Sun's rays from hitting
the Moon
Solar Eclipse
When the Moon passes in
front of the Earth so
that it blocks the Sun's
rays from hitting the
Earth.
Crater
Circular or oval depression
on the surface of the moon
or planet formed when an
asteroid or comet strikes
the surface at high speed.
Credit: Nate Kepler, Lenore Wilson, Katie Brown, Shuksan Middle School