atmosphere: An envelope of gas surrounding the Earth, another planet, or the Moon.
Comet: A celestial body consisting of a core of ice and dust. When a comet passes close to the Sun, gas and dust evaporate from the comet’s surface, forming a trailing “tail.”
computer model: A program running on a computer that creates a model or simulation of real-world features, phenomena, or events.
debris: Scattered debris. Usually trash or pieces of destroyed material. For example, space debris includes the remains of extinct satellites and spacecraft.
diameter: The length of a straight line passing through the center of a circular or spherical object, starting at one end and ending at the opposite end.
eruption: (in Earth science) A sudden explosion or spray of hot material from deep within a planet or moon through its surface. Volcanic eruptions on Earth typically send hot lava, hot gas, or ash into the air and onto the surrounding land. In colder regions of the solar system, eruptions that spew liquid water from cracks in the icy crust are common. This happens on Saturn’s icy moon Enceladus.
evolution: (v. evolve) The process by which a species changes over time, usually through genetic variation and natural selection. Alternatively, the term can refer to changes that occur as a natural progression in the nonliving world (such as computer chips evolving into smaller devices that operate faster).
Jupiter: (in astronomy) The largest planet in the solar system and the shortest day (9 hours and 55 minutes). As a gas giant, its low density indicates that it is primarily composed of the light elements hydrogen and helium. The planet also gives off more heat than it receives from the Sun, as its mass is compressed by gravity (and the planet slowly shrinks).
of the moon: of or relating to the Earth’s moon.
Micrometer: (sometimes called a micron) One thousandth of a millimeter, or one millionth of a meter. This is equivalent to several hundred thousandths of an inch.
transfer: (v. migration) moving from one area or habitat to another, especially on a regular basis (and according to the seasons) or in response to some driving force (such as climate or war). Individuals who make this move are known as immigrants.
Month: Natural satellites of all planets.
NASA: Abbreviation for National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Founded in 1958, this American agency has been a leader in stimulating public interest in space research and exploration. It was through NASA that the United States sent people into orbit and eventually to the moon. Research vessels are also being sent to study the planets and other celestial bodies in our solar system.
orbit: The curved path of a celestial body or spacecraft around a galaxy, star, planet, or moon. A complete revolution around a celestial body.
organic: (in chemistry) an adjective indicating that something contains carbon. It is also a term related to the basic chemicals that make up living things.
particle: A trace amount of something.
planet: A large celestial body that orbits a star, but unlike a star, it does not produce visible light.
planetary science: Science of planets other than Earth.
robot: A machine that can sense its environment, process information, and respond with specific actions. Some robots can operate without human input, while others are guided by humans.
Saturn: The sixth planet from the sun in our solar system. One of the two gas giant planets, the planet takes 10.6 hours to rotate (complete a day) and 29.5 Earth years to orbit the Sun once. There are at least 82 satellites. But the planet’s most distinctive feature is the wide, flat surface of the bright ring that orbits it.
Ocean: Ocean (or area that is part of the ocean). Unlike lakes and streams, sea water, or ocean water, is salty.
solar system: The eight major planets and their moons that orbit the sun, as well as smaller celestial bodies in the form of dwarf planets, asteroids, meteoroids, and comets.
Giant: A word that refers to a gigantic being. This term originates from Greek mythology. The six sons and six daughters of the Greek god Uranus and Gaia were known as the Titans. Titan, with a capital letter, is a satellite of Saturn.
United Arab Emirates: A nation consisting of seven states called emirates located on the southern coast of the Persian Gulf. This oil-rich country, also known as the Emirates, borders Saudi Arabia and Oman. With only 100 to 150 millimeters (4 to 6 inches) of annual rainfall, it has vast expanses of rocky desert, coastal wetlands, and arid mountains.
volcano: A place where the Earth’s crust opens and magma or gas erupts from an underground reservoir of molten material. The magma rises through a system of pipes and channels, sometimes spending time in chambers where the gas bubbles and undergoes chemical changes.
wave: A disturbance or fluctuation that travels through space or matter while vibrating regularly.
Source: www.snexplores.org
