SOLAR SYSTEM
What is the name of the star at the centre of our Solar System?
Sun
What is the imaginary line that Earth spins around called?
Earth's Axis
What is Earth's natural satellite called?
The Moon
What is an eclipse?
An event where one celestial object blocks light from reaching another object or casts a shadow on it.
What causes day and night on Earth?
Earth's rotation on its axis
Name the 4 planets closest to the sun
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars
What is the difference between rotation and revolution?
Rotation is the spinning of an object on its axis. Revolution is the movement of an object around another object.
Does the moon produce its own light? Explain
No, we see sunlight reflected from the moon's surface
During a SOLAR eclipse, which object is between the other two? Earth, Sun or Moon
Moon
If it's daytime in Australia, why might it be night time in Europe?
Earth is rotating, so the two locations can face different directions relative to the Sun.
What is the difference between a planet and a star?
Star produces its own light and energy. A planet orbits a star and reflects its light.
Approximately how long does Earth take to complete one rotation and one revolution around the sun?
Rotation - 24 hours, Revolution - 365.25 days.
A moon cycle begins with which phase of the moon cycle?
New Moon
During a LUNAR eclipse, what is the correct order of the Sun, Earth and Moon?
Sun > Earth > Moon. Earth blocks sunlight from directly reaching the moon.
Why does Australia experience Summer in December while countries in the Northern Hemisphere experience Winter? Include "Hemisphere" in your answer
Earth's axis is tilted. In December, the Southern Hemisphere is tilted towards the sun and the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away.
Why do planets remain in orbit around the sun rather than travelling away in a straight line?
The sun's gravity attracts the planets and keeps them in orbit.
Our Tides are affected by the ........
Gravitational Pull of the Moon
Describe the difference between the waxing the waning phase
During the waxing phase, we see more of the sun's surface. During the waning phase, we see less of the moon's surface.
Describe what the UMBRA is
The darkest central part of the shadow where the light is light source is completely blocked.
Explain what a solstice is?
When there is a larger difference between number of hours of daylight and of darkness. Winter Solstice is shortest day/longest night. Summer Solstice is longest day and shortest night
What can be found in our Solar System between Mars (4th planet) and Jupiter (5th planet)?
The Asteroid Belt
What would happen to our seasons if Earth's tilt was 0 degrees (no tilt)?
What are the 8 main phases of the Moon, in order, starting from New Moon. You MUST use "waxing and waning in your naming.
New Moon, Waxing Crescent, Quarter Moon, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Quarter Moon, Waning Crescent
During which moon phase does a LUNAR eclipse occur?
Full Moon
In what year did Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin land on the moon on Apollo 11?
1969