The Solar System

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to the Solar System, including definitions of celestial bodies and forces.

Asteroids

Large and small rocks or metallic masses orbiting the Sun; made up of materials similar to those that formed the planets.

Gravitational Pull

The attraction between two objects due to the invisible force of gravity; responsible for the tides on Earth.

Gravity

The force that causes objects with mass to attract one another.

Moon

A celestial body that revolves around a planet.

Orbit

A curved path followed by a satellite as it revolves around an object.

Planet

A large celestial body that revolves around a star in a solar system.

Solar System

A star and the group of planets and other celestial bodies that are held by its gravitational attraction and revolve around it.

Sun

The luminous star around which Earth and other planets revolve; composed mainly of hydrogen and helium.