Astronomy: The Solar System
Master the essentials of our cosmic neighborhood with these "Astronomy: The Solar System" flashcards. This deck covers fundamental concepts from planetary characteristics to celestial mechanics, perfect for reviewing key facts before an exam. Focus on the core knowledge needed to understand the Solar System's structure and phenomena.
Want to actually learn these?
Save this deck to your NoteFren library and study it with spaced repetition — or turn your own notes into cards like these.
What theory explains how the solar system formed?
The nebular hypothesis: it collapsed from a rotating cloud of gas and dust.
What powers the Sun?
Nuclear fusion of hydrogen into helium in its core.
Name the terrestrial planets in order from the Sun.
Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars.
Name the giant planets in order from the Sun.
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.
What is the leading explanation for the Moon's origin?
The giant-impact hypothesis: a Mars-sized body hit early Earth, and the debris formed the Moon.
Where is the main asteroid belt?
Between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.
What is the Kuiper Belt?
A region of icy bodies beyond Neptune, including Pluto.
What separates a dwarf planet from a planet?
A dwarf planet has not cleared its orbital neighborhood of other objects.
What is Jupiter's Great Red Spot?
A giant, long-lived storm, larger than Earth, observed continuously since at least the 1830s.
What are Saturn's rings made of?
Countless pieces of water ice and some rock, from dust-sized to boulder-sized.
What mainly causes Earth's ocean tides?
The Moon's gravity.
What causes Earth's seasons?
The tilt of Earth's axis, which changes the angle and length of sunlight during the year.
What are comets made of?
Ice, dust and rock; they usually have long, highly elliptical orbits.
Why is Venus the hottest planet?
Its dense carbon dioxide atmosphere causes a runaway greenhouse effect.
What evidence shows liquid water once flowed on Mars?
Dry river channels, deltas and minerals that form in water.