Term | Definition |
geocentric | an earth centered model |
heliocentric | a sun centered model |
ellipse | an oval shape, which may be elongated or nearly circular |
core | the central region of the sun, where nuclear fusion takes place |
radiation zone | a region of very tightly packed gas where energy is transferred mainly in the form of electromagnetic radiation |
convection zone | the outer most layer of the sun's intension |
photosphere | the inner layer of the sun's atmosphere |
chromoshere | the middle layer of the sun's atmosphere |
corona | the outer layer of the sun's atmosphere |
solar wind | streams of electrically charged particles |
sunspots | areas of gas on the sun's surface that are cooler then the gases around them |
prominence | huge reddish loops of gas |
solar flare | an eruption of gas from the sun's surface that occurs when the loops in sunspots regions connect |
terrestrial planets | the name often given to the four inner planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Earth) |
greenhouse effect | the trapping of heat by a planets atmosphere |
gas giant | Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, larger and more massive then Earth don't have solid surfaces |
ring | a thin disk of small particles of ice and rock |
What was a scientist and his discovery? | Galileo and heliocentric |
small, dense, rocky surface | Characteristics of Inner Planets |