Astronomy Basics

Front

What is rotation?

Back

The spinning of a planet or moon on its axis.

Front

What is revolution?

Back

The movement of a planet around the sun in a fixed path or orbit.

Front

What causes day and night?

Back

The rotation of the Earth on its axis causes day and night.

Front

How long does it take for the Earth to complete one rotation?

Back

It takes 24 hours for the Earth to complete one rotation on its axis.

Front

What is the axis of rotation?

Back

An imaginary line through the center of a planet or moon around which it rotates.

Front

How long does it take for the Earth to complete one revolution around the Sun?

Back

It takes approximately 365.25 days for the Earth to complete one revolution around the Sun.