Vocabulary Terms for E.8B

Front

Axis

Back

An imaginary line that runs through the center of a planet from the North Pole to the South Pole. Earth spins around this line.

Front

Constellation

Back

A group of stars that form a recognizable pattern in the night sky. These patterns often look like people, animals, or objects and have names.

Front

Earth

Back

The planet we live on. It’s a large, round planet that orbits the sun and is covered with land, water, and an atmosphere.

Front

Eclipse

Back

When one space object, like the moon or Earth, moves into the shadow of another, blocking light. There are solar eclipses and lunar eclipses.

Front

Lunar Cycle

Back

The pattern of changes in the appearance of the moon as it orbits Earth, going through phases like new moon, full moon, and others over about 29.5 days.

Front

Moon

Back

A natural satellite that orbits around Earth. It looks bright in the night sky because it reflects light from the sun.

Front

Rotate

Back

To spin around an axis. Earth rotates once every 24 hours, causing day and night.

Front

Season

Back

One of the four times of the year (spring, summer, fall, winter) caused by Earth’s tilt as it orbits around the sun.

Front

Solstice

Back

The two days of the year when Earth is tilted the most toward or away from the sun, causing the longest or shortest days. This happens around June 21 and December 21.

Front

Sun

Back

The star at the center of our solar system that provides heat and light to Earth.