Astronomy Vocabulary

Front

What are constellations?

Back

Star patterns that appear to move across the sky as Earth revolves around the sun.

Front

What is an asteroid?

Back

Rocky and irregularly shaped bodies that orbit the sun, but are too small to be planets.

Front

Which constellation is known as 'the hunter'?

Back

Orion, seen in the winter in the Northern hemisphere.

Front

What are the outer planets?

Back

Planets that are composed of gas.

Front

Which planets are considered cold?

Back

The outer planets.

Front

What is a comet?

Back

A small icy body that, when passing close to the sun, warms up and begins to release gases, forming a glowing coma and sometimes a tail.

Front

What is a meteoroid?

Back

A small rocky or metallic body in outer space.

Front

What is a satellite?

Back

An object that orbits a planet.

Front

What are the inner planets?

Back

The four planets closest to the sun, which are rocky and terrestrial.

Front

What is the sun?

Back

A star at the center of our solar system that provides light and heat.