Astronomy Vocabulary

Name:

Date:

Instructions: Space and astronomy terms and definitions

1.
What is a 'nebula'?
A
A phase of the moon
B
A small planet
C
A giant cloud of dust and gas in space
D
A type of telescope
2.
What does the term 'light-year' measure?
A
Brightness
B
Time
C
Weight
D
Distance
3.
What is a 'supernova'?
A
A massive explosion that occurs when a star reaches the end of its life
B
A new star being born
C
A type of galaxy
D
A very bright planet
4.
What is the 'ecliptic'?
A
The apparent path of the Sun across the sky over a year
B
A type of eclipse
C
The dark side of the Moon
D
A kind of telescope lens
5.
What is a 'constellation'?
A
A type of comet
B
A planet with rings
C
A single bright star
D
A group of stars forming a recognizable pattern as seen from Earth
6.
What is a 'black hole'?
A
A hole in the ozone layer
B
An empty area of space with no stars
C
A region of space with gravity so strong that nothing can escape it
D
A dark spot on the Sun
7.
What does 'astronomical unit' (AU) measure?
A
The size of a galaxy
B
The brightness of a star
C
The distance from the Earth to the Sun
D
The weight of a star
8.
What is the 'Milky Way'?
A
A constellation
B
The galaxy that contains our solar system
C
A candy bar in space
D
A type of nebula
9.
What is a 'satellite' in astronomy?
A
A type of star
B
A space station
C
Only man-made objects in orbit
D
Any object that orbits a larger object in space
10.
What is 'solar wind'?
A
A stream of charged particles released from the Sun's atmosphere
B
Wind power generated by solar panels
C
Wind on a sunny day
D
A type of hurricane on Jupiter
11.
What is an 'exoplanet'?
A
A planet made entirely of gas
B
A planet that orbits a star outside our solar system
C
A very large planet
D
A planet that no longer exists
12.
What does 'orbit' mean?
A
The curved path of an object around a star, planet, or moon
B
To crash into another object
C
To float in space without direction
D
To spin on an axis
13.
What is a 'red dwarf'?
A
A large red galaxy
B
A small, cool, and relatively dim star
C
A planet with a red surface
D
A dying supernova
14.
What is the 'aurora borealis'?
A
A constellation in the southern sky
B
Natural light displays in the northern sky caused by solar particles
C
A star visible only at dawn
D
A type of meteor shower
15.
What is a 'comet'?
A
A shooting star
B
A large asteroid
C
An icy body that releases gas and dust, forming a visible tail as it approaches the Sun
D
A fragment of a broken planet

Answer Key

Question 1

C. A giant cloud of dust and gas in space

Question 2

D. Distance

Question 3

A. A massive explosion that occurs when a star reaches the end of its life

Question 4

A. The apparent path of the Sun across the sky over a year

Question 5

D. A group of stars forming a recognizable pattern as seen from Earth

Question 6

C. A region of space with gravity so strong that nothing can escape it

Question 7

C. The distance from the Earth to the Sun

Question 8

B. The galaxy that contains our solar system

Question 9

D. Any object that orbits a larger object in space

Question 10

A. A stream of charged particles released from the Sun's atmosphere

Question 11

B. A planet that orbits a star outside our solar system

Question 12

A. The curved path of an object around a star, planet, or moon

Question 13

B. A small, cool, and relatively dim star

Question 14

B. Natural light displays in the northern sky caused by solar particles

Question 15

C. An icy body that releases gas and dust, forming a visible tail as it approaches the Sun

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