space quiz

Inner Planets

they are small, rocky, and have few moons (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars).

Outer Planets

they are large, composed of gas or ice, have many moons and ring systems (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune).

Hydrogen and Helium

The two main gases that make up the Sun.

Nuclear fusion

The process occurring in the core of the Sun, where hydrogen atoms fuse to form helium, releasing energy.

Sunspots

Dark, cooler areas on the Sun's surface caused by magnetic activity.

Auroras

Natural light in the Earth's sky, caused by solar wind interacting with the magnetic field.

Solar Flare

A sudden explosion of energy on the Sun's surface due to magnetic activity.

Solar Prominences

Huge loops of gas that extend from the Sun’s surface, often linking sunspots.

what 3 factors make a planet

To be considered a planet, an object must orbit a star, be large enough to be rounded by gravity, and clear its orbit of other objects.

Dwarf Planet

orbits the sun but does not clear its orbit of other objects.

Asteroid

A small rocky body orbiting the Sun, mostly found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

Meteoroid vs Meteor vs Meteorite

Meteoroid: in space, Meteor: in the atmosphere, Meteorite: lands on Earth.

Comets

Icy bodies that develop tails when near the Sun due to heating.

what causes day and night

earths rotation on its axis

why do we see phases of the moon

based on its position relative to Earth and the Sun.

Waxing vs Waning

Waxing: getting brighter; Waning: getting dimmer.

cause of seasons (2 main reasons)

1. tilt of earths axis

2. revolution around sun

Solstice

When Earth is tilted the most toward or away from the Sun, resulting in the longest or shortest day.

Equinox

when day and night are of equal length due to the Sun being directly above the equator.

Gibbous vs Crescent

Gibbous: more than half lit; Crescent: less than half lit.

Full vs New Moon

Full Moon: entire face lit; New Moon: no visible lighted face.

Solar Eclipse

when moon blocks the sun

Lunar Eclipse

when Earth blocks sunlight from reaching the Moon,

4 characteristics of the sun

1. main sequence star

2. medium temperature

3. medium brightness

4. yellow color

Nebula

A cloud of gas and dust in space where stars begin to form.

Protostar

The early stage of a star forming in a nebula.

Main Sequence

The longest stage of a star's life

Red Giant / Red Supergiant

A late life stage of a star where outer layers expand and cool; supergiants are for massive stars.

Supernova

A massive explosion that occurs at the end of a massive star's life.

Does every star become a black hole?

Only the most massive stars can become black holes after their life cycle; medium-sized stars become white dwarfs.

4 major types of space debris

1. old satellites

2. rocket parts

3. Lost tools or objects

4. broken fragments

Impacts of Space Debris

Can damage spacecraft or satellites and increases cost and risk of space missions.

Clean Up Space Debris

Using nets to remove debris from orbit and burn it up in the atmosphere.

Microgravity

very little gravity

Prolonged Exposure to Microgravity

Can lead to weak muscles and bones, fluid shifts, and vision problems.

Kepler and TESS Telescopes

Both are optical telescopes used to discover exoplanets.

Two Discoveries of Kepler

Thousands of exoplanets and some in habitable zones.

TESS planet finding

observing dips in star brightness.

James Webb Telescope purpose

To observe the early universe

Mars Exploration: Perseverance

A rover searching for signs of ancient life on Mars.

Mars Exploration: Ingenuity

The first helicopter to fly on another planet.

Mars Exploration: MOXIE

Produces oxygen from carbon dioxide in Mars’s atmosphere, facilitating future human missions.