Vocab
The study of the atmosphere
Map Scale
The ratio between distance on a map and the corresponding distance on the ground
Geology
The study of Earth's changing surface
Topographic Map
A map showing elevations on Earth's surface in a measurable fashion, such as with contour lines or colored elevation bands
Contour intervals
The difference in elevation between adjacent contour lines on a topographic map
Biosphere
The collection of all organisms that live on Earth along with the environments in which they live
Oblate Spheroid
A squished sphere, where the equator of the sphere has a greater radius than the measurement at from the center to the poles
Oceanography
The study of the oceans
Universe
All matter in the universe including space and time
Ecliptic
The plane in which the Earth orbits the Sun
Umbra
The darkest inner part of a shadow
Solar Eclipse
An event that occurs when the Moon passes in front of the Sun, blocking the Sun and causing the Moon's shadow to fall on a portion of the Earth's surface
Hydrosphere
The part of the Earth composed of water
Perihelion
The point on the orbit of a planet, asteroid, comet, or other object around the Sun where it is closest to the Sun.
Galaxy
A massive system of stars, gravitationally bound to one another
Cartography
The science and art of making maps
Geocentric
The theory that states the Earth is the center of the universe
Gregorian calendar
The solar calendar first introduced under Pope Gregory XIII in 1582, and adopted by Western nations during the following two centuries.
lunar Phase
the shape of the sunlit portion of the moon's face as seen from Earth
Julian Calendar
The solar calendar introduced during the reign of Julius Caesar in 46 BC and used in Western societies until replaced by the Gregorian Calendar
Lunisolar Calendar
A calendar based on both the phases of the Moon and the orbit of Earth around the Sun
Latitude
The location of a place described as an angle north or south of the Equator, with 0 degrees being the Equator, and the poles being 90 degrees north or south. Lines of latitude run parallel to the Equator.
Geographic Information System
Computer software that can analyze data about Earth and present the data visually in the form of maps.
Cylindrical Projection
A map projection created by extending features on Earth's surface onto a cylinder wrapped around Earth.
Autumnal Equinox
The moment of time between the summer solstice and winter solstice when there is an equal amount of daylight and nighttime. The autumnal equinox occurs on about September 22 in the northern hemisphere.