Term | Definition |
Rotation | The act of rotating around an axis or center. |
Revolution | The orbital motion about a point, especially as distinguished from axial rotation. |
Orbit | In astronomy, the path followed by an object after revolving around another object. |
Geocentric theory | A belief that the Earth is the center of the universe. |
Heliocentric theory | A belief that the Sun is the center of the universe. |
Astronomy | The science of observing the sky. |
Solar System | The sun, its planets, and all other objects in orbit around the sun or planets. |
Telescope | A device built to observe distant objects, like stars, by making them appear closer. |
Comet | A loose collection of ice, dust and small rocky particles with a long, narrow orbit of the sun. |
Gravity | The force that pulls objects toward one another. |
Astronomer | A scientist who studies the universe beyond earth. |
N.A.S.A. | An acronym for the National Aeronautic and Space Administration. |
Axis | Earth's imaginary straight line that passes through the North pole, the center of earth, and the south pole. Can be on other planets also. |
Tilt | To not be straight, leaned in one direction or another. |
Meteors | A streak of light in the sky produced by the burning of a meteoroid in earth's atmosphere.Not a shooting star, but this. |
Constellation | An imaginary patter of stars in the sky. |
Vernal equinox | March 20 or 21, when the amount of time in the day is equal to the amount of time in the night. |
Autumnal equinox | September 22, when the Sun's beams are hitting the equator, causing the amount of time in the day is equal to the amount of time in the night, is in Fall. |
Summer solstice | June 21, when the sun's beams are more on the northern hemisphere, causing it to be Summer there. The Sun is hitting its highest point on Earth. |
Winter solstice | December 21, when the Sun's beams are more on the southern hemisphere, which is when the Sun is hitting its lowest position, is in Winter. |