cosmic
/ˈkɑzmɪk/Relating to the whole universe, especially the vast space far beyond our own world.
Example: Astronomers picked up a burst of cosmic radiation last night.
C120 words · Advanced
Space & Astronomy vocabulary — C1
Space vocabulary such as trajectory, exoplanet and astrophysics, plus parallax, spectroscopy and solar wind. Words for describing astronomy as a science.
20 questions
Words in this set
20trajectory
/trəˈdʒɛktəri/The curving path an object follows through the air or through space after being launched.
Example:
Engineers adjusted the rocket's trajectory with a short engine burn.
interstellar
/ˌɪntərˈstɛlər/Relating to the space between stars.
Example:
The mission is designed for interstellar travel far beyond our solar system.
extraterrestrial
/ˌɛkstrətərˈɛstriəl/Coming from or existing outside the Earth or its atmosphere.
Example:
Scientists are searching for signs of extraterrestrial life.
gravitational
/ˌɡrævɪˈteɪʃənəl/Relating to the force of gravity.
Example:
The moon's gravitational pull causes the ocean tides.
exoplanet
A planet that orbits a star outside our own solar system.
Example:
Astronomers discovered a new exoplanet that might support life.
probe
/proʊb/An unmanned spacecraft sent to explore and gather information about space.
Example:
The probe sent back images of the planet's surface.
propulsion
/prəˈpʌlʃən/The force that pushes or drives something, such as a rocket, forward.
Example:
The new engine gives the rocket much greater propulsion.
orbital
/ˈɔrbətəl/Relating to the curved path an object follows around a planet, star, or moon.
Example:
The satellite reached its correct orbital position after launch.
astrophysics
/ˌæstroʊˈfɪzɪks/The branch of science that studies the physical nature of stars, planets, and the universe.
Example:
She studies astrophysics at university.
perihelion
The point in an orbit closest to the sun.
Example:
The comet is brightest at perihelion and then fades fast.
parallax
/ˈpɛrəˌlæks/The apparent shift of an object when viewed from two places.
Example:
Parallax is how the first stellar distances were measured.
accretion
/əˈkriʃən/The gradual building up of matter by gravity.
Example:
Planets form by slow accretion over millions of years.
spectroscopy
/spɛkˈtrɑskəpi/The study of light to find out what something is made of.
Example:
Spectroscopy tells you the composition of a star you can never reach.
apogee
/ˈæpəˌdʒi/The point in an orbit furthest from the Earth.
Example:
The satellite is slowest at apogee and fastest at the other end.
heliocentric
Having the sun at the centre.
Example:
The heliocentric model took a century to be accepted.
solar wind
The stream of particles flowing out from the sun.
Example:
The solar wind shapes the tail of every comet.
occultation
The passing of one body in front of another.
Example:
The occultation lasted eleven seconds and was recorded from three sites.
albedo
The proportion of light a surface reflects.
Example:
Ice has a high albedo, which is why melting speeds itself up.
ephemeris
A table giving the future positions of a body in space.
Example:
Every observatory works from the same ephemeris.
