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LT: I can define important
vocabulary
Vocabulary
Earth and Space
Credit: Katie Brown, Shuksan Middle School
Axis
 Definition:
(noun)
An imaginary line that goes through
the center of the earth.
 Sentence: The earth’s axis goes from the north
pole to the south pole.
 The earth tilts on its axis.
Rotation
(noun)
 Definition:
root word = rotate
To turn or spin around a central
point or axis.
 Sentence: The Earth’s rotation takes 24
hours.
Which direction does the
earth rotate?
What gesture can you
create that shows rotation?
Revolution
(noun)
root word = revolve
 Definition:
To move in a curved path around a
central object, such as a star or planet.
 Sentence:
The Earth revolves around the sun.
It makes one revolution every 365.25 days (1
year).
What is the difference between the
words “rotate” and “revolve?”
 Rotate
means ___________, but revolve
means_________.
Use these words:
rotation, axis, revolution
The earth rotates on its central point, or ________.
It makes one full ____________ on its axis every 24
hours and one ______________ around the sun
every 365.25 days.
Orbit
(noun or verb)
 Definition:
The curved path of an object
around a central object in space.
 Sentence: (noun)
The comet might cross the earth’s orbit.
 Sentence: (verb)
The planet Mercury orbits the sun.
“Orbit” is
a thing
“Orbit” is
an action
What’s the difference between
“revolve” and “orbit?”
Satellite
 Definition:
(noun)
A natural object that orbits
around another object in space.
 Sentence: The earth is a satellite of the sun.
Are these statements correct?
Why or why not?
The earth is a satellite of the sun.
The sun is a satellite of the earth.
The earth orbits the sun.
We put a satellite into orbit.
Solar System
 Definition:
(noun)
A system of planets or other
bodies orbiting another star.
 Sentence: There are eight planets in our
solar system.
Galaxy
 Definition:
(noun)
Group of billions of stars and
their planets, within the universe.
 Sentence: Our solar system is located in
the Milky Way galaxy.
Universe
 Definition:
(noun)
All matter and energy, including
galaxies, solar systems, and all of the
contents of space.
 Sentence : Scientists love to explore the
universe to learn new things about deep
space.
Which is bigger?
A
solar system?
 A galaxy?
 The universe?
Star
(noun)
 Definition:
A sphere of hot glowing gases
that releases energy in the form of heat
and light.
 Sentence: When the sky is clear, you can
see many stars.
They look
like this!
Not like
this!
Planet
 Definition:
(noun)
A massive, spherical (circular)
space object that orbits a star.
 Sentence: Two planets in our solar system
are called Mercury and Venus.
Comet
 Definition:
(noun)
A mass of frozen gas, cosmic
dust, ice crystals, and organic material
that orbits the sun.
 Sentence: The light of a passing comet is
exciting to watch.
Asteroid
 Definition:
(noun)
A mostly rocky object that
orbits the sun.
 Sentence: Many people want to know
what would happen if a large asteroid hit
the earth.
Meteoroid
 Definition:
(noun)
A solid object moving in space
that is smaller than an asteroid.
 Sentence: A meteoroid that comes near
earth usually breaks up in the
atmosphere.
Comparison Matrix
Put an “x” in the correct box
Orbits the
Sun
Comet
Asteroid
Meteoroid
A solid
object
Mostly
made of
ice or gas
Mostly
made of
rock
Using the correct word
Meteoroid
Meteor
Meteorite
A solid object
moving in
space,
smaller than
an asteroid
The streak of
light that is
produced
when a
meteoroid
burns as it
enters the
atmosphere
A meteroid
that strikes a
planet
Meteoroid? Meteor? Meteorite?
 If
you saw a flash of light go across the sky, like a
shooting star, it would most likely be a _________.
 If
you found a rock in the desert that came from
space, it might be a ___________.
 If
you saw an object space that looked smaller
than an asteroid, it may be a __________.
 If
you see something burning up in the
atmosphere, it could be a ____________.
What does this picture represent?
Explain why. (There can be more than one answer)
Galaxy
Words to use:
Universe Star Satellite
Orbit
What does this picture represent?
Explain why. (There can be more than one answer)
Galaxy
Words to use:
Universe Star Satellite
Orbit
What does this picture represent?
Explain why. (There can be more than one answer)
Meteoroid
Words to use:
Meteor Meteorite Asteroid
Comet
What does this picture represent?
Explain why. (There can be more than one answer)
Rotation
Words to use:
Revolution Axis
Planet
Orbit
What does this picture represent?
Explain why. (There can be more than one answer)
Rotation
Words to use:
Revolution Axis
Planet
Orbit
What does this picture represent?
Explain why. (There can be more than one answer)
Meteoroid
Words to use:
Meteor Meteorite Asteroid
Comet