Space
The Star in the CENTER of our Universe
What is the Sun?
Earth’s rotation takes about this long.
What is 24 hours?
This instrument measures temperature.
What is a thermometer?
The layer of gases surrounding Earth where weather happens.
What is the atmosphere?
The average weather in an area over many years.
What is climate?
Earth's only natural Satellite?
What is the Moon?
The force that pulls air, water, and objects toward Earth’s center.
What is gravity?
This tool measures wind speed.
What is an anemometer?
This type of cloud looks puffy like cotton balls and usually signals fair weather.
What are cumulus clouds?
A desert’s climate is best described as this:
What is hot and dry?
This invisible force from the Sun protects Earth from harmful solar radiation.
What is the magnetic field?
Earth’s tilt and orbit around the Sun cause this cycle.
What are the seasons?
This weather tool uses a balloon to measure conditions high in the atmosphere.
What is a weather balloon?
This scale measures the strength of tornadoes.
What is the Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale?
Areas near the equator are usually hot all year because they get more of this.
What is direct sunlight?
These massive storms on the Sun can disrupt satellites and power grids on Earth.
What are solar flares?
Mountains can block moist air and create dry regions on their opposite sides. This is called a
What is a rain shadow?
Meteorologists use this instrument to measure humidity in the air.
What is a hygrometer?
A large swirling storm that forms over warm ocean water and has strong winds.
What is a hurricane?
Scientists study ancient climates using trapped bubbles in this frozen substance.
What is ice (ice cores)?
The Earth’s movement around the Sun takes this long.
What is 365 days (1 year)?
Earth’s rotation causes winds and currents to curve. This effect is called the
What is the Coriolis effect?
This type of radar tracks precipitation and storms by bouncing signals off raindrops.
What is Doppler radar?
This global wind belt lies near the equator and has very calm winds, which once trapped sailing ships.
What are the doldrums?
This global climate pattern, involving warming of Pacific Ocean waters, can cause floods and droughts worldwide.
What is El Niño?