Mars and Jupiter’s Moons

These vocabulary flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to Mars and Jupiter's moons, including their physical characteristics, exploration history, and significant findings.

Mars

The fourth planet from the sun, known for its reddish surface caused by iron oxides.

Atmosphere of Mars

Very thin, composed mainly of CO2, with a surface pressure of 1% of Earth's.

Dust Storms

Martian weather phenomena that can encompass the entire planet.

Curiosity Rover

A robotic rover that has been exploring Mars since 2012.

Valles Marineris

A giant canyon on Mars over 4,000 km long.

Olympus Mons

The largest volcano in the solar system located in the Tharsis region of Mars.

Deimos

One of Mars' two moons, believed to be a captured asteroid.

Phobos

The larger of Mars' two moons, known for its rapid orbit and proximity to Mars.

Galilean Satellites

The four largest moons of Jupiter: Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto.

Failed Star

A term used to describe Jupiter due to its mass being close to that of the smallest stars.

Orbital Resonance

The gravitational influence that causes the orbital periods of Io, Europa, and Ganymede to be related.

Volcanism on Io

Io is the most volcanically active body in the solar system, with approximately 400 volcanoes.

Ice Caps on Mars

Composed of frozen water and CO2, changing seasonally.

Mars Odysessy

A satellite that has been exploring Mars since 2001.

Evidence of Water on Mars

Indications include surface features and historical presence of a global magnetic field.

Interior of Europa

Believed to have a rocky core covered by water ice and possibly a sub-surface ocean.

Hydrothermal Vents

Where heated water from beneath the surface may support life, similar to Earth.

Exploration of Mars

Involves various rovers and satellites investigating the planet's geology and atmosphere.

Moons of Jupiter

Jupiter has 80 known moons, with four large ones significantly sized and known as the Galilean moons.

Impact of Solar Wind

Mars lost its atmosphere due to the solar wind stripping it away after the magnetic field disappeared.

Seasonal Changes on Mars

Mars experiences seasons, with polar ice caps changing due to ice melting and freezing.

Sub-surface Ocean

A potential ocean beneath the ice crust of Europa, theorized from evidence of warmth.

Magnetic Field Evidence on Europa

The presence of an induced magnetic field suggests a conductive layer of salty water.

Reddish Surface of Mars

Caused by high concentrations of iron oxides, giving the planet its distinct color.

Mars' Two Moons

Deimos and Phobos are the two small, irregularly shaped moons orbiting Mars.

Craters on Io

Io has very few craters because its surface is constantly repaved by volcanic activity.

Galileo Spacecraft

Conducted extensive studies of Jupiter and its moons in the late 1990s.

Comparative Size of Moons

Phobos and Deimos are significantly smaller than Earth’s moon, Luna.

Jovian Rotation Observations

Images obtained by Voyager 2 show detailed views of Jupiter over its rotation.

Surface Features of Mars

Includes canyons, volcanoes, and evidence of past water activity.

Potential for Life on Europa

Evidence hints at conditions favorable for life beneath its ice-covered surface.

Mars' Solar System Position

Fourth planet in the solar system, positioned between Earth and Jupiter.

Mars Orbital Eccentricity

Mars has an orbital eccentricity of about 0.093, indicating its orbit is somewhat elliptical.

Ganymede

The largest moon of Jupiter and the largest in the solar system.

Callisto

Another of the Galilean moons, heavily cratered and ice-covered.