Earth in Space
When is the autumn equinox?
September (23)
How does an eclipse occur?
When the moon shadow hits Earth or vice versa
What was Copernicus' theory named?
Heliocentric
What is a sunspot?
What characteristics do all inner planets have?
small and rocky surfaces
What is another name for vernal equinox?
spring equinox
What happens in a lunar eclipse?
The Earth comes in between the Sun and the Moon and casts its shadow on the moon.
What was Ptolemy's Idea?
Earth was in the center of the solar system
How hot is the sun's core?
15 million degrees Celsius
What are the four inner planets in order from the Sun
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars
What is astronomy?
Study of the moon and other objects in space
When (how long) is the cycle of a moon done?
29.5 days after the new moon
Who are the two people that supported Copernicus' theory?
Newton, Galileo, Kepler, Brahe
What are the three layers of the sun?
Photosphere, cromosphere, the corona
Name the inner planets in order of diameter (biggest to smallest)
Earth, Venus, Mars, Mercury
What is the difference between rotation and revolution?
rotation: one turn on axis
revolution: one round around the sun
Why is it when there is a full moon, only half the moon is lighted?
What are two factors that keep the planets in their orbits?
Gravity and Inertia
How does the sun get its energy? Name the process, what happens in it, and where in the sun it happens.
Nuclear fusion, hydrogen atoms join together to form helium atoms, occurs in the sun's core
Mercury: smallest, no atmosphere, extreme temperatures
Venus: retrograde rotation, volcanoes, thick atmosphere, Earth's twin, Evening star
Earth: life
Mars: red planet, wind storms, has seasons, volcanoes, 2 moons