Earth and Space Systems

Vocabulary review flashcards on inner and outer planets, moon phases, gravitational forces, tidal patterns, celestial bodies, and unique features of Earth.

Inner Planets (Terrestrial Planets)

The four planets closest to the Sun, which consist of Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.

Mercury

The closest planet to the Sun and the smallest of all the planets.

Venus

The $2\text{nd}$ planet from the Sun, which is about the size of Earth.

Earth

The $3\text{rd}$ planet from the Sun; it is $4.5\text{ billion}$ years old, supports life, and has liquid water and a protective atmosphere containing oxygen.

Mars

The $4\text{th}$ planet from the Sun, which is about $\frac{1}{2}$ the size of Earth.

Outer Planets (Gas Giant Planets)

The planets located farther from the Sun, which consist of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

Jupiter

The $5\text{th}$ planet from the Sun and the largest planet in the solar system.

Saturn

The $6\text{th}$ planet from the Sun, known for having noticeable rings.

Uranus

The $7\text{th}$ planet from the Sun, which rotates on its axis on its side.

Neptune

The $8\text{th}$ planet from the Sun, which is about $4$ times the size of Earth.

Moon Cycle

A $28\text{-day}$ cycle caused by the changing positions between the Sun, the Earth, and the Moon as the Moon orbits Earth.

New Moon

The phase occurring on the first day of the lunar cycle where no light can be seen on the Moon.

Waxing Crescent

The lunar phase in which $\frac{1}{4}$ of the light can be seen on the Moon.

First Quarter Moon

The lunar phase in which $\frac{1}{2}$ of the light can be seen on the Moon.

Waxing Gibbous

The lunar phase in which $\frac{3}{4}$ of the light can be seen on the Moon.

Full Moon

The lunar phase in which the whole lit side of the Moon can be seen.

Waning Gibbous

The lunar phase in which $\frac{1}{4}$ of the shadow appears on the right side if lit.

Last Quarter

The lunar phase in which $\frac{1}{2}$ of the shadow appears on the right side of the Moon.

Waning Crescent

The lunar phase in which $\frac{3}{4}$ of the shadow appears on the right side of the Moon.

Gravity

The pull that keeps the planets in orbit around the Sun; greater mass creates a greater gravitational force.

Revolution (Earth's Orbit)

The movement of Earth traveling around the Sun, which takes $365\text{ days}$ to complete.

Earth's Rotation

The spinning of Earth on its axis, taking about $24\text{ hours}$ for one full rotation and giving a full day and night cycle.

High Tide

A tide caused when the Moon's gravitational pull attracts Earth's waters toward it, causing the water to bulge outward.

Low Tide

A tide caused by water being pulled away from the area relative to the Moon.

Asteroid (Minor Planet)

Small solid objects made of iron, nickel, metal, or any combination of the three that orbit the Sun; also called planetoids.

Meteor

Occurs when a meteoroid enters Earth's atmosphere and begins to burn, causing a streak of light in the sky; also known as a falling or shooting star.

Dwarf Planet

A celestial body that orbits the Sun and has enough mass to form a round shape, but has not cleared other objects out of its path (e.g., Pluto).

Comet

An icy object orbiting the Sun that has been described as a "dirty snowball".

Spring Tides

Exceptionally strong tides with very high high tides and very low low tides that happen during new and full moons when the Sun and Moon line up.

Neap Tides

Weak tides with little difference between high and low water that happen during 1st and 3rd quarter moons when the Sun and Moon pull at right angles.

Galileo

An astronomer who, in the early 1600s, used one of the first telescopes to observe the moons of Jupiter.

Active Plate Tectonics

A unique property of Earth where its crust is broken into massive, slowly moving plates.