The Sun, Moon, and Stars Flashcards

Grade 3 · Science · Flashcards

Study vocabulary for the Sun, Moon, stars, and space science.

Flashcards

Sun: The star at the center of our solar system; a medium-sized star about 93 million miles from Earth
Moon: Earth's only natural satellite; reflects sunlight and orbits Earth every 27 days
star: A massive ball of hot plasma that generates energy through nuclear fusion
orbit: The curved path one space object takes around another due to gravity
satellite: An object that orbits a larger body — the Moon is Earth's natural satellite
phases of the Moon: The changing appearance of the Moon as seen from Earth over its monthly orbit
new moon: Moon phase when the lit side faces away from Earth; appears dark
full moon: Moon phase when we see the entire lit side of the Moon
constellation: A named pattern of stars as seen from Earth
solar system: The Sun and all the planets, moons, and other objects that orbit it
nuclear fusion: The process in the Sun's core that combines hydrogen atoms into helium, releasing energy
tides: The rise and fall of ocean water levels caused by the Moon's gravitational pull
reflection: The bouncing of light off a surface — moonlight is reflected sunlight