The path a planet follows as it travels around the sun is known as its ________.
orbit
Which astronomer studied the moons of Jupiter?
Galileo
What is the largest terrestrial planet?
Earth
What is the largest planet in the solar system?
Jupiter
The distance between the sun and Earth is known as an _______________.
The point called __________ is where the planet is closest to the sun.
perihelion
What is at the center of the geocentric model?
the Earth
Which planet has the shortest period of revolution around the sun?
Mercury
Which planet is tilted about 98 degrees?
Uranus
What do we call a disk of materials that circle a planet?
planetary ring
Large bodies from which planets are formed are called ____________.
planetesimals
Aristarchus
Which planet is extremely hot and is off limits due to the precipitation of sulfuric acids?
Venus
Which planet has the strongest winds?
Neptune
Name 2 main differences between gas giants and terrestrial planets.
size, composure, rocky/gasses, distance from sun, rotation times
An explosive release of energy from the sun is called a ______________________.
solar flare
Which astronomer discovered the idea of Parallax?
Aristotle
Which planet is known as "Earth's twin"? Explain why.
Venus - about the same size
Explain the colors of Uranus and Neptune. Why do they have these colors?
blue-green and blue; Methane in atmosphere absorbs red light
Which planet has the longest revolution period for revolving around the sun?
Neptune
What is the inward force that causes an object to move in a circular path?
centripetal force
Describe one of Kepler's laws.
any law
Explain what retrograde rotation is. Which terrestrial planet has retrograde rotation?
Venus - planet spins clockwise
What is the name of the most volcanically active place in the solar system?
Jupiter's moon IO
What is the name of Saturn's moon that consists of water geysers?
Enceladus