Vocabulary
The imaginary line that runs through Earth from the North Pole to the South Pole.
Axis
The moon and planets shine because they ______ light from the sun.
Why do stars appear to move across the sky during the night?
Stars appear to move across the sky because Earth is rotating on its axis.
What are the different shapes of the moon called?
The different shapes of the moon are called phases.
What is an eclipse?
An eclipse is when one object in space moves into the shadow of another object.
An object that orbits the sun and has cleared debris from its orbit.
Planet
Meteors appear in the sky when ______.
Why do different constellations appear in the sky during different seasons?
Different constellations are visible during different seasons because Earth revolves around the Sun, changing the direction we look into space.
What causes the moon’s phases?
The moon’s phases are caused by the changing positions of the Moon, Earth, and Sun, which affect how much of the moon’s lit side we see.
During a solar eclipse, what object is between the Sun and Earth?
The Moon is between the Sun and Earth.
The model that places Earth at the center of the universe.
Geocentric
Stars generally appear to move from ______ to ______ across the sky.
East to West
What causes the seasons on Earth?
Seasons are caused by Earth’s axis being tilted as it revolves around the Sun, which changes how direct sunlight hits different parts of Earth.
Why do we always see the same side of the moon from Earth?
We always see the same side of the moon because the moon rotates at the same rate that it revolves around Earth.
During a lunar eclipse, what object is between the Sun and the Moon?
Earth is between the Sun and the Moon.
A pattern or group of stars that forms a figure or object in the sky.
Constellation
Earth’s orbit around the sun is shaped like a(n) ______.
Ellipse
Why is Earth not warmer when it is closer to the Sun?
Earth is not warmer when it is closer to the Sun because seasons are caused by the tilt of Earth’s axis, not the distance from the Sun.
About how long does it take for the moon phase cycle to repeat?
It takes about 29.5 days for the moon phase cycle to repeat.
What is the darkest part of a shadow during an eclipse called?
The darkest part of a shadow is called the umbra.
The path an object follows as it moves around another object
Orbit
Earth’s axis is tilted about ______.
23.5
What did ancient astronomers use constellations? 2 answers
Track Seasons, Tell Stories, Navigate
What are maria?
The dark-colored areas are low, flat plains of lava called maria.
What causes tides on Earth?
Tides are caused mainly by the gravitational pull of the Moon, and to a lesser extent, the Sun.