VocabularyEarth and Space

LT: I can define important vocabulary

Credit: Katie Brown, Shuksan Middle School

Axis (noun)

Definition: An imaginary line that goes through the center of the earth.

Sentence: The earth’s axis goes from the north pole to the south pole.

The earth tilts on its axis.

Rotation (noun) root word =

rotate

Definition: To turn or spin around a central point or axis.

Sentence: The Earth’s rotation takes 24 hours.

Which direction does the earth rotate?

What gesture can you create that shows rotation?

Revolution (noun) root word =

revolve

Definition: To move in a curved path around a central object, such as a star or planet.

Sentence: The Earth revolves around the sun. It makes one revolution every 365.25 days (1 year).

What is the difference between the words “rotate” and “revolve?”

Rotate means ___________, but revolve means_________.

Use these words: rotation, axis, revolution

The earth rotates on its central point, or

________. It makes one full ____________ on its

axis every 24 hours and one ______________

around the sun every 365.25 days.

Orbit (noun or verb)

Definition: The curved path of an object around a central object in space.

Sentence: (noun) The comet might cross the earth’s orbit.

Sentence: (verb) The planet Mercury orbits the sun.

“Orbit” is a

thing

“Orbit” is an

action

What’s the difference between “revolve” and “orbit?” THINK

PAIR

SHARE

Satellite (noun)

Definition: A natural object that orbits around another object in space.

Sentence: The earth is a satellite of the sun.

The earth is a satellite of the sun.

The sun is a satellite of the earth.

The earth orbits the sun.

We put a satellite into orbit.

Are these statements correct?Why or why not?

THINK….

THEN SHOW!

Solar System (noun)

Definition: A system of planets or other bodies orbiting another star.

Sentence: There are eight planets in our solar system.

Galaxy (noun)

Definition: Group of billions of stars and their planets, within the universe.

Sentence: Our solar system is located in the Milky Way galaxy.

Universe (noun)

Definition: All matter and energy, including galaxies, solar systems, and all of the contents of space.

Sentence : Scientists love to explore the universe to learn new things about deep space.

Which is bigger?

A solar system?A galaxy?The universe?

Star (noun)

Definition: A sphere of hot glowing gases that releases energy in the form of heat and light.

Sentence: When the sky is clear, you can see many stars.

They look like this!

Not like this!

Planet (noun)

Definition: A massive, spherical (circular) space object that orbits a star.

Sentence: Two planets in our solar system are called Mercury and Venus.

Comet (noun)

Definition: A mass of frozen gas, cosmic dust, ice crystals, and organic material that orbits the sun.

Sentence: The light of a passing comet is exciting to watch.

Asteroid (noun)

Definition: A mostly rocky object that orbits the sun.

Sentence: Many people want to know what would happen if a large asteroid hit the earth.

Meteoroid (noun)

Definition: A solid object moving in space that is smaller than an asteroid.

Sentence: A meteoroid that comes near earth usually breaks up in the atmosphere.

Comparison Matrix

Orbits the Sun

A solid object

Mostly made of

ice or gas

Mostly made of

rock

Comet

Asteroid

Meteoroid

Put an “x” in the correct box

Using the correct word

Meteoroid

A solid object

moving in space, smaller than an asteroid

MeteorThe streak

of light that is

produced when a

meteoroid burns as it enters the atmospher

e

Meteorite

A meteroid that strikes

a planet

Meteoroid? Meteor? Meteorite? If you saw a flash of light go across the sky,

like a shooting star, it would most likely be a _________.

If you found a rock in the desert that came from space, it might be a ___________.

If you saw an object space that looked smaller than an asteroid, it may be a __________.

If you see something burning up in the atmosphere, it could be a ____________.

What does this picture represent? Explain why. (There can be

more than one answer)

Words to use:Galaxy Universe Star Satellite Orbit

What does this picture represent? Explain why. (There can be

more than one answer)

Words to use:Galaxy Universe Star Satellite Orbit

What does this picture represent? Explain why. (There can be

more than one answer)

Words to use:Meteoroid Meteor Meteorite Asteroid Comet

What does this picture represent? Explain why. (There can be

more than one answer)

Words to use:Rotation Revolution Axis Planet Orbit

What does this picture represent? Explain why. (There can be

more than one answer)

Words to use:Rotation Revolution Axis Planet Orbit

What does this picture represent? Explain why. (There can be

more than one answer)

Words to use:Meteoroid Meteor Meteorite Asteroid Comet