Science Test Vocabulary Astronomy-Vocab List

air pressure The force of the weight of air pushing on a surface

axis an imaginary straight line running through Earth from pole to pole

core the innermost layer of Earth, located beneath the mantle

crust the thin, rocky outer layer of Earth, above the mantle

the blocking of the light from one astronomical object by another eclipse the blocking of the light from one astronomical object by another

gravitational force the force of attraction between all masses in the universe

a region where a magnetic force can be detected magnetic field a region where a magnetic force can be detected

the layer of rock between Earth’s crust and core mantle the layer of rock between Earth’s crust and core

the portion of a moon or planet that is illuminated phase the portion of a moon or planet that is illuminated

revolution the motion of one body around another, like Earth’s orbit around the Sun

the spinning of a body, like Earth, on its axis rotation the spinning of a body, like Earth, on its axis

tides the alternating rise and fall of the surface of the ocean or other large bodies of water