The Solar System

Unit D Chapter 1

Name the outer planets

Describe the 4 inner planets

Small and rocky

Name 4 things orbiting the sun.

Planets, comets, moons, asteroids

Space rocks are also called __________.

asteroids

Name the 4 inner

planets.

• Mercury• Venus• Earth• Mars

What is an orbit?

Path a planet takes around the Sun

How many planets are in our solar

system?

Eight

What is a space probe?

• A robotic vehicle used in space

What are comets made of?

Ice and dust

What was the program called that landed astronauts on the moon?

• Apollo

What does solstice mean?

• Shortest and longest hours of daylight.

What is a satellite?

• An object that orbits another object.

The Earth spins or _____________ on its axis.

• rotates

Planets and their moons orbit the ______.

sun

What was the Mercury program?

• 1st program where the United States sent humans into space

When would an eclipse occur?

• When one object passes in front of another.

Who was the first person to use a telescope?

• Galileo

What was the 1st artificial satellite?

• Sputnik

Equal hours of daylight and darkness are called an ______________

• equinox

How has technology evolved in the study of space? Name the 4 items

used to study space.

• Telescope, satellite, space probe, space shuttle

The Earth rotates on its ________

• axis

What is a telescope used for?

• To magnify distant objects