inner planet
What makes earth special
it is the only planet that can sustain life
Which is the largest planet
Neptune
define a satelllite
a body (natural or artificial) that orbits a larger astronomical body
What do we call the one side of the moon we always see?
Near Side
define eclipse
the casting of one object in space's shadow on another
when the second body seems to be completely covered
venus
how many major rings does Saturn have and What are Saturn's rings made up of?
7, Icy particles
What are the three layers of the moon
crust, mantle core
Why does the moon change shapes
the change in position of the sun, moon and stars
- casts shadows
Define a solar eclipse
casting of the moon's shadow on the earth
What planet is the closest to the sun and visible as a bright star
mercury
Which planet is the smallest of the gas giants and is a blue green color
uranus
Does the moon have an atmopshere? explain how that effects weather
no, no weather
What is the difference between the new moon and the full moon
new moon: moon is not visible
full moon: moon is visible
define an annular eclipse
What planet has large craters, soil made of iron oxide and two ice caps
mars
Which planet has no solid surface and has the fastest wind at 2,000 mph
neptune
loose layer of rock and dust, lunar regolith
What is the difference in the term waxing or waning
waxing: the moon appears to be growing
waning: the moon appears to be shrinking
define lunar eclipse
casting of the earth shadow on the moon
name all 4 inner planets
mercury
venus
earth
mars
What separates the outer planets from the inner planets
the asteroid belt
name the dark area of the moon and name the light
dark: mare and rilles
light: highlands
Describe a waning gibbeous
when the moon is shrinking and there is still greater than half a circle left
Why do eclipses not happen very often?
the sun, earth and moon must be in perfect alignment