Solar system vocab

geocentric system

Ptolemy – 140 A.D. Greek

Astronomer

believed that Earth was the center of the universe

heliocentric system Nicolaus Copernicus – 1500s Polish

astronomer- thought that the sun is at the center of the system- current model thanks to Galileo looking through telescope

solar system

Large planetary system with many smaller planetary systems and objects (planets and their moons)

ellipse elongated

circle, oval shape

Path of orbitNot a perfect

circle

nuclear fusion2 hydrogen = helium= sun

H

H

HeHe

core #5 on picture

nuclear fusion reactions = energy

core is a very dark place!

Made of Plasma

Photosphere #4 on picture Sphere that

makes lightPart we can

actually see

chromosphere #2 on pictureMiddle layer Means color

corona #1on picture

Outer layer looks like a halo or crown

Only visible during eclipses

Sunspot #3 on picture Areas of gas

on the sun that are cooler

Look darker

prominence #6 on picture

Huge loop of gas

solar wind Corona sends

our a stream of electrically charged particles

aurora borealis- northern lights

solar flare

Huge explosions on the sun

terrestrial planetsMercury, Venus, Earth & MarsFour inner planets are small and

have rocky surfaces

Gas giants Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus & Neptune

Large outer planets with stronger gravity

Keeps gases from escaping

rotation Spinning motion of a planet about it’s own

axis ONE DAY 23 hr 57 min 4 sec (Earth) DIFFERENT FOR EACH PLANET

satellite Any object that revolves around another

object in space Natural satellite = moon Artificial satellite= machine (cell phone

signals)

revolution One year Earth 365.25 days (365) February 29 2008 leap year every 4th year

Movement of an object going around another object

retrograde rotation

• Venus- travels east to west= clockwise

• Opposite direction of most planets

• It’s day is longer than it’s year

greenhouse effect

• Carbon dioxide traps heat in the atmosphere

• Venus’ surface becomes hotter and hotter

• Trapping heat

mnemonic device

• My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas

• Mercury• Venus• Earth• Mars• Jupiter• Saturn• Uranus• Neptune• Pluto