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Earth Science Gr7
Chapter 20
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| orbit | the path an object follows as it moves around another object |
| revolution | the orbit of one object around another object |
| rotation | the spin of an object around its axis |
| rotation axis | the line on which an object rotates |
| solstice | when Earth's rotation axis is tilted directly toward or away from the Sun |
| equinox | when Earth's rotation axis is tilted neither toward nor away from the Sun |
| maria | the large, dark, flat areas on the Moon |
| phase | the portion of the Moon or a planet reflecting light as seen from Earth |
| waxing phase | phases of the Moon during which more of the Moon's near side is lit each night |
| waning phase | phases of the Moon during which less of the Moon's near side is lit each night |
| umbra | the central, darker part of a shadow where light is totally blocked |
| penumbra | the lighter part of a shadow where light is partially blocked |
| solar eclipse | an occurrence during which the Moon's shadow appears on Earth's surface |
| lunar eclipse | an occurrence during which the Moon moves into Earth's shadow |
| tide | the periodic rise and fall of the ocean's surface caused by the gravitational force between Earth and the Moon, and between Earth and the Sun |