Earth and Space Science Review Flashcards

Flashcards for Earth and Space Science review.

What celestial event occurs when the Earth casts a shadow on the Moon?

Lunar eclipse

What celestial event occurs when the Moon casts a shadow on the Earth?

Solar eclipse

What is the term for Earth's spinning motion on its axis?

Rotation

What is the term for Earth's orbit around the Sun?

Revolution

What is a small rocky body orbiting the sun?

Asteroid

What is a small rocky or metallic body that enters Earth's atmosphere?

Meteor

What is a meteor that survives its passage through the Earth's atmosphere and strikes the ground?

Meteorite

What is a small rocky or metallic body traveling through outer space?

Meteoroid

What is a celestial body consisting of a nucleus of ice and dust and, when near the sun, a “tail” of gas and dust particles pointing away from the sun?

Comet

What two factors cause seasons on Earth?

The 23.5-degree tilt of Earth's axis and Earth's revolution around the Sun.

What effect does the moon have on tides?

Tides are caused by the gravitational attraction between the Earth, Moon, and Sun. Especially strong tides occur when the Sun and Moon’s gravity line up to exert tidal forces together (at full and new moons). Weaker tides occur when the moon is at first and last quarter, as the gravitational pull of the Sun partially cancels out the gravitational pull of the moon.

How does a lunar eclipse occur?

The Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon.

How does a solar eclipse occur?

The Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow on the Earth.

If the northern half of a planet is pointing away from the Sun, what season is the Northern hemisphere experiencing?

Winter

If the southern half of a planet is pointing toward the Sun, what season is the Southern hemisphere experiencing?

Summer

Is it high tide or low tide on the side of Earth directly facing the moon?

High Tide