Earth in Space

A collection of vocabulary flashcards based on the key concepts from the lecture notes about Earth in space.

Astronomers

Scientists who study objects and matters beyond Earth.

Satellites

Bodies that orbit a larger body; can be natural, like moons, or artificial, like man-made satellites.

NASA

National Aeronautics and Space Administration; responsible for space exploration and research.

Hubble Space Telescope

A powerful telescope giving clear views of space, placed in orbit around Earth.

Solar System

The sun and the group of bodies that revolve around it.

Rotation

The complete spin of the Earth on its axis, taking approximately 24 hours.

Revolution

The elliptical orbit that Earth makes around the Sun every 365 days.

Tilt of the Earth's Axis

The angle at which the Earth’s axis is inclined; affects solar energy distribution.

Equinox

The time when Earth's poles are neither pointed toward nor away from the Sun, resulting in equal daylight and darkness.

Solstice

The time when Earth’s poles are at their maximum tilt toward or away from the Sun, affecting daylight hours.

Global Positioning System (GPS)

A system that reveals the exact location of something on Earth.

Space Tourism

Traveling in space for recreational purposes developed by private companies.

Tropics

Regions on Earth located near the equator, receiving direct sunlight year-round.

Polar Regions

Areas located near the Earth's poles, receiving little to no solar energy and characterized by cold climates.

Direct Rays

Sunlight that strikes the Earth vertically, resulting in warmer temperatures.

Angled Rays

Sunlight that strikes the Earth at an angle, resulting in cooler temperatures.

Leap Year

A year that includes an extra day, occurring every four years to account for the extra ¼ day in the Earth's orbit.