Solar System, Phases of the Moon + Eclipses key terms

comet

A small celestial body made of ice, dust, and rocky material that orbits the Sun and develops a visible atmosphere (coma) and sometimes a tail when close to the Sun.

asteroid

A small rocky body that orbits the Sun, mostly found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

phases of the moon

The various appearances of the Moon from Earth throughout its 29.5-day cycle, including new moon, crescent, first quarter, gibbous, and full moon phases.

eclipse

An event where one celestial body moves into the shadow of another celestial body, blocking light; includes solar eclipses (Moon blocks Sun) and lunar eclipses (Earth blocks Sun from Moon).

satellite

An object that orbits a planet or other celestial body; can be natural (like moons) or artificial (man-made devices).

geostationary

A type of orbit where a satellite remains in a fixed position relative to the Earth's surface, typically orbiting at about 35,786 kilometres above the equator.

polar orbit

An orbit where a satellite passes over the Earth's poles, allowing it to cover the entire surface of the Earth as the planet rotates underneath.