Earth, Moon, and Mars Concepts

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to Earth, Luna, Mars, and their geological and atmospheric features.

Earth

The third planet from the sun, featuring surface liquids and a nitrogen-based atmosphere.

Luna

The common name for Earth’s Moon, often referred to as Luna.

Geologically Dead

Refers to planets or moons that no longer exhibit geological activity.

Lithosphere

The layer of cool, rigid rock on Earth’s surface.

Convection Cells

Structures in the mantle that carry heat from the core to the surface.

Magnetic Field

A magnetic field is created by moving charged particles within a planet's interior.

Planetary Differentiation

The process by which a planet’s interior separates into different layers based on density.

Heat Flow

The transfer of heat from Earth’s core to the surface via convection.

Greenhouse Effect

A process in which greenhouse gases absorb infrared light, warming the planet.

Water Vapor

The largest contributor to Earth’s greenhouse effect.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

The second largest contributor to the greenhouse effect.

Thermal Escape

The process by which gases escape a planet's atmosphere due to thermal energy.

Coriolis Effect

The apparent deflection of moving objects caused by the rotation of the Earth.

Lunar Maria

Dark, smooth regions on the Moon’s surface formed by ancient volcanic activity.

Permanent Shadow

Areas such as certain craters on the Moon where sunlight never reaches.

Apollo 11

The first mission to put humans on the Moon, landing on July 20, 1969.

Soviet Lunar Exploration

Soviet Russia was the first to land an unmanned probe on the Moon.

Earth’s Atmosphere

Thin layer of gases surrounding Earth, primarily composed of 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen.

Trace Gases

Gases present in the atmosphere in very small amounts, yet significant in effect.

Air Circulation

Movement of air resulting from temperature differences on Earth’s surface.

North/South Circulation

The circulation patterns of air influenced by Earth’s rotation.

Earth’s Crust

The outer layer of Earth composed of low-density rocks like granite and basalt.

Mantle

The layer of Earth located beneath the crust, made up of moderate density silicate rock.

Planetary Exploration

The study and exploration of planets such as Mars and the Moon.

Lunar Exploration

Investigative missions aimed at studying the Moon's surface and geology.

Chang’e Lander

The Chinese lunar lander that successfully landed on the Moon in 2013.

Chandrayaan-3

An Indian lunar lander that successfully landed on the Moon in August 2023.

Equatorial Air Circulation

The movement of warm, rising air near the equator.

Cooled Lava

Lava that has solidified after the volcanic activity, forming smoother surfaces.

Impact Crater

A depression on a planetary surface caused by the impact of a meteorite or asteroid.

Astronauts of Apollo 11

Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins were the crew members of this historic mission.

Solar Wind

A stream of charged particles released from the upper atmosphere of the sun.

Thermal Radiation

Energy emitted by Earth's surface in the form of infrared light.