Lessons 1 & 2
An astronomer and mathematicia. He believed that the Earth was the center of the universe. The word for earth in Greek is geo, so we call this idea a geocentric theory. Also known for his book titled, “Almagest”
Ptolemy
A dark area on the surface of the sun that is cooler than the surrounding areas
Sunspot
Is equal to the distance between the sun and Earth
Astronomical unit
A disk of matter that circles a planet and consists of numerous particles in orbit that range in size from a few millimeters to several hundred meters
Planetary ring
A meteoroid that reaches Earth’s surface without burning up
Meteorite
Was one of the most important rocket (V-2 ballistic missile) developers and champions of space exploration in the twentieth centur. Well-known as the leader of the American rocket team, which sought the launch astronauts into space
Von Braun
A loop of relatively cool gas that extends above the photosphere
Prominence
Planet that has the highest surface temperature in the solar system
Venus
Planet that has a density that is less than water
Saturn
A minor body that orbits outside of the orbit of Neptune
Kuiper Belt Object
Small bodies from which planets formed
Planetesimals
The layer of the sun from which energy escapes into space
Photosphere
Planet that is most heavily cratered of the terrestrial planets
Mercury
Planet that has the strongest winds in the solar system
Neptune
A small body that follows a highly elliptical orbit around the sun
Comet
The path that a body follows as it travels around another body in space
Orbit
The layer of the sun in which energy is produced
Core
Planet that has very large dust storms
Mars
Planet that is tilted on its side as it orbits the sun
Uranus
The largest of the small bodies that are found in the solar system
Dwarf planet
The cloud of gas and dust from which our solar system formed
Solar nebula
The layer of the sun through which energy is transferred away from the core by radiation
Radiative zone
Planet that has the highest surface gravity of the terrestrial planets
Earth
Planet that is the largest in the solar system
Jupiter
The glowing trail that results when a meteoroid burns up in Earth’s atmosphere
Meteor