Earth Science 1: The Universe

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the origin of the universe, stellar characteristics, and the classification/properties of the planetary system.

The Big Bang Theory

The leading explanation for how the universe began.

Cosmic Inflation

The start of the universe as a single point with high temperature, density, and pressure, but low volume.

Cosmological Redshift

A phenomenon where the expansion of the universe stretches light traveling through space.

Stars

Balls of gas that generate heat and light through nuclear fusion.

Nuclear fusion

The process occurring at the core of stars that causes them to produce energy.

Star Temperature Color Scale

The classification of stars from hottest to coolest: Blue, White, Yellow, Orange, Red.

Sun

An average star classified as a yellow dwarf with a temperature of approximately $5000\,^{\circ}\text{C}$.

Layers of the Sun

Core, Radiative Zone, Convective Zone, Photosphere, Chromosphere, and Corona.

Sunspots

Dark spots appearing on the sun's surface or photosphere.

Solar Flare

A violent explosion of radiation occurring on the sun.

Solar Wind

Continuous streams of plasma that result in Aurora Lights.

Nebula

Known as "Star Nurseries," these are clouds of gas and dust from exploded stars.

Galaxy

A massive system bounded by gravity, such as the Milky Way.

Planet

A celestial body that orbits a star, has sufficient mass for self-gravity to be spherical in shape, and has a clear orbit.

Terrestrial Planets

Planets composed of rocks and metals located nearer to the sun with higher surface temperatures, shorter revolutions, and lighter mass.

Jovian Planets

Planets composed of gases and ice located farther from the sun with lower surface temperatures, longer revolutions, and heavier mass.

Mercury

The smallest planet with no atmosphere and most density.

Venus

Known as the "Twin" and the hottest planet; it has a $CO_2$ atmosphere and rotates clockwise (CW).

Earth

A planet with an atmosphere of $N_2$ and $O_2$ and one moon.

Mars

A planet with a $CO_2$ atmosphere and two moons.

Jupiter

The biggest planet, possessing 95 moons and an atmosphere of $H$ and $He$.

Saturn

A Jovian planet with 146 moons, the least density, and an atmosphere of $H$ and $He$.

Twin Giants

A collective term for Uranus and Neptune, which both have atmospheres of $H$, $He$, and $CH_4$.

Uranus

A Jovian planet with 27 moons and clockwise (CW) rotation.