Chapter 10 Study Guide

In a solar eclipse, the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth. The imaginary line that Earth rotates around is known as its axis. June the 21 st or 22 nd is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere; it is called the summer solstice.

The apparent changes in the shape of the Moon are known as Moon phases. The first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere is known as the vernal equinox.

What causes a lunar eclipse? A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, and the Moon moves into Earth’s shadow.

Earth moves around the Sun-the term used to describe on full trip of Earth around the Sun is a revolution. During a solar eclipse, the shadow parts of the Earth caused by the Moon are called the umbra and penumbra.

Earth and the Moon exert different gravitational forces because they have different masses. It takes the Moon 27 1/3 days to complete one revolution around the Earth. Earth’s rotation on its axis causes day and night to take place on Earth. The Earth’s tilt and its revolution cause seasons to occur.

The two days of the year when day and night are equal are the vernal equinox and the autumnal equinox. Galileo presented evidence for the Earth revolving around the Sun.

Mapping the Solar System Earth is the third planet from the Sun. Venus has an atmosphere of sulfuric acid. Pluto is a small, rocky outer planet. Mars has a surface that shows signs of water.

Mercury is the smallest of inner planets. Uranus has an axis that is nearly perpendicular to the Sun. Neptune has the coldest surface temperature. Saturn has rings. Jupiter is the biggest planet.