a round object, like a globe. in space, a planet, moon or star. origin: 1250–1300; < ll...
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SPACE VOCABULARY
Sphere
A round object, like a globe. In space, a planet, moon or star.
Origin: 1250–1300; < LL sphēra, L sphaera globe < Gk sphaîra ball; r. ME spere < OF spere < LL spēra, var. of sphēra
Axis
The line around which a body, or planet, rotates
Origin: 1540–50; < L axis an axletree, axle, axis.
Ellipse
In space, an orbit that is not flat but an elongated
circle.
Origin: 1745–55; < F < L ellīpsis ellipsis; or by back formation from the pl. ellipses
Solstice The two times a year (December and
June) when the Earth’s axis points most towards or away from the sun. Longest and shortest days.
Origin: 1200–50; < ME < OF < L sōlstitium, equiv. to sōl sun + -stit-, comb. form of stat-, var. s. of sistere to make stand ( see stand) + -ium -ium; see -ice)
Moon Phase
The step in the journey around the Earth that the moon takes; can be seen in 8 phases with different amounts of light and dark
Origin: 1805–15; (n.) back formation from phases
Waxing
In science, when the moon is growing brighter from right to left.
Wax “on”
Origin: bef. 900; ME waxen, OE weaxan; c. G wachsen; akin to waist
—Synonyms 1. extend, grow, lengthen, enlarge, dilate.
Waning
In science, when the surface of the moon is growing darker from right to left.
Origin: bef. 900; ME wanen (v.), OE wanian to lessen; c. MD, MHG wanen, ON vana to cause to wane, destroy
New Moon
When the moon is in the phase where the side facing the Earth is completely dark, no illumination.
First Quarter
The phase in the lunar cycle wherein the right half of the moon is illuminated
Origin: 1250–1300; (n.) ME < AF; OF quartier < L quartārius, equiv. to quart ( us ) fourth + -ārius -ary; (v.) ME quarteren, deriv. of the n.
Third quarter
The phase of the moon when the left half is illuminated, opposite sides from 1st quarter
Solar eclipse
When the moon blocks light from the Sun from landing on the Earth
Origin: 1400–50; late ME < L sōlāris, equiv. to sōl sun + -āris -ar1
Solar eclipse
Lunar eclipse
When the Earth gets in the way of the Sun’s light and casts a shadow on the moon
Origin: 1585–95; < L lūnāris of the moon. See Luna
Lunar eclipse (last fall!)
Maria
Dark spots on the surface of the moon Caused by asteroids hitting the surface
hard enough that lava seeped up and filled in the surface
Origin: 1680–90; < L: sea
Equinox Twice a year (March and September)
when the Earth’s axis is halfway between the two extreme points, creating 12 hours of light and 12 hours of dark
equinox late 14c., from O.Fr. equinoxe , from M.L. equinoxium "equality of night (and day)," from L. aequinoctium, from aequus "equal" + nox (gen. noctis ) "night." The O.E. translation was efnniht . Related: Equinoctial
Rotation
An object that moves or spins on its axis.
Revolution
One body going around another body
Moon revolves around Earth
Earth revolves around Sun
revolution late 14c., originally of celestial bodies, from O.Fr. revolution , from L.L. revolutionem (nom. revolutio ) "a revolving," from L. revolutus , pp. of revolvere "turn, roll back"