The Sun, Earth, and Moon System Vocabulary

The spin of an object around its axis.

• Rotation

• Revolution

• Equinox

• Phase

The line of which an object rotates.

• Rotation

• Orbit

• Rotation Axis

• Phase

The path an object follows as it moves around another object.

• Rotation

• Revolution

• Phase

• Orbit

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

The orbit of one object around another object.

• Revolution

• Umbra

• Solstice

• Orbit

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

When Earth's rotation axis is tilted directly toward or away from the Sun.

• Solstice

• Equinox

• Phase

• Orbit

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

When Earth's rotation axis is tilted neither toward nor away from the Sun.

• Solstice

• Equinox

• Umbra

• Penumbra

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

The lit part of the Moon or a planet that can be seen from Earth.

• Phase

• Umbra

• Penumbra

• Solstice

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Phases of the Moon during which more of the Moon's near side is lit each night.

• Umbra

• Waxing Phase

• Penumbra

• Waning Phase

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Phases of the Moon during which less of the Moon's near side is lit each night.

• Waxing Phase

• Waning Phase

• Umbra

• Penumbra

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

The central, darker part of a shadow where light is totally blocked.

• Penumbra

• Waning Phase

• Waxing Phase

• Umbra

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1