Solar System Vocabulary

Front

Sun

Back

The heart of our solar system, a yellow dwarf star, hot ball of glowing gases. Its gravity holds the solar system together.

Front

Planet

Back

A celestial body that is in orbit around the sun.

Front

Sun's Gravity

Back

Holds the solar system together.

Front

Orbit

Back

the curved path of a celestial object or spacecraft around

a start, planet, or moon

Front

Ellipse

Back

a flattened circle or oval shape

Front

Artificial Satellite

Back

A man-made object that orbits a planet or another object

Front

Solar Eclipse

Back

Occurs when the moon passes between the Sun & the Earth, casting a shadow on Earth

Front

Tides

Back

periodic rise & fall of ocean levels caused by gravitational

pull of the sun & moon

Front

Gravity

Back

The force by which a planet or other body draws objects toward its center.

Front

Lunar Eclipse

Back

occurs when the Sun, Earth, & moon align so that the

moon passes into Earth's shadow; moon becomes darker

& maybe red