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Unit 1
Earth's Place in the Universe
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Solar System | A collection of planets, dwarf planets, moons, and small objects that travel around the sun. |
Sun | The star that is at the center of solar system. |
Galaxy | A collection of millions or billions of stars, together with gas and dust which are held together by a gravitational force. Our galaxy is called the Milky Way. |
Universe | The whole vast expanse known as space and everything that is included within it. It contains many galaxies. |
Dwarf Planet | Worlds that are too small to be classes as a planet. Pluto is classed as a Dwarf Planet. |
Asteroid | Small rocky body that orbits the sun. They range in size from 600 miles across to dust particles. |
Comet | An object in space that is made of ice and dust. |
Asteroid Belt | The region in our solar system that is located between Mars and Jupiter. It consists of many different asteroids that are of varying shape and size. |
Satellite | An object in space that orbits a planet. Satellites can be natural; such as the moon, which orbits Earth, or man made; such as the International Space Station, which was made by scientists and orbits the Earth. |
Orbit | The curved path which a planet or object in space follows, as it travels around a star, planet, or moon. |
Gravity | The force that attracts one body of mass towards another physical body of mass. For example, the sun is a physical body of mass, and it attracts the planets. |
Nuclear Fusion | Process by which the nucleus of atoms collide to form a heavier nucleus and the release of large amounts of energy. |