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Basic Sciences - Meteorology & the Solar System

Study terms related to atmospheric layers, planetary motion, meteors, meteorites, and the planets of the solar system.

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Words Related to Basic Sciences
atmosphere

the layer of gases surrounding a planet, held in place by gravity

Ex: Earth's atmosphere protects us from harmful solar radiation. 
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biosphere
biosphere
[noun]

a part of planet where the air, land, and water are suitable for all the living things to exist on

Ex: The biosphere includes all ecosystems on Earth. 
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stratosphere

the atmospheric layer above the troposphere, where temperature generally increases with altitude and the ozone layer is situated

Ex: The stratosphere contains the ozone layer, crucial for absorbing and blocking harmful ultraviolet radiation. 
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thermosphere

the atmospheric layer above the mesosphere, where temperatures increase with altitude and it extends to the exosphere

Ex: The thermosphere is where the International Space Station (ISS) and many satellites orbit the Earth. 
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troposphere

the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere, extending from the surface up to an average altitude of about 8-15 kilometers

Ex: The troposphere is where most weather phenomena, such as clouds, rain, and storms, occur. 
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ionosphere

a layer in the upper atmosphere containing ions and free electrons, affecting radio communication and contributing to auroras

Ex: The ionosphere reflects radio waves, allowing long-distance communication by bouncing signals off this atmospheric layer. 
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mesosphere

the atmospheric layer above the stratosphere, where temperatures decrease with altitude and it extends up to the mesopause

Ex: The mesosphere is the layer where meteorites burn up upon entering the Earth's atmosphere. 
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ozone layer

a layer of gases in the earth's atmosphere that does not let the sun's ultraviolet radiation pass through

Ex: The ozone layer is a region of the Earth's stratosphere that absorbs most of the sun's ultraviolet radiation. 
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axis
axis
[noun]

the central point or line around which an object turns

Ex: The Earth spins on its axis once every twenty-four hours. 
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to orbit
to orbit
[Verb]

to move around a star, planet, or a large object in space

Ex: The moon orbits around the Earth once every 27.3 days. 
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meteor
meteor
[noun]

a piece of rock coming from outer space that passes through the Earth's atmosphere, producing light

Ex: We saw a bright meteor streak across the sky during the meteor shower last night. 
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meteorite
meteorite
[noun]

a piece of rock or metal from space that has hit the surface of the earth

Ex: Scientists analyzed the composition of the meteorite that fell in the desert last month. 
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solar system

the sun and the group of planets orbiting around it, including the earth

Ex: Earth is one of eight planets in the solar system. 
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Mercury
Mercury
[noun]

the 1st and smallest planet in the solar system which is the closest to the sun

Ex: Mercury, the closest planet to the Sun, has surface temperatures that can reach up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. 
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Venus
Venus
[noun]

the 2nd planet of the solar system located between Mercury and earth

Ex: Venus, often called the "morning star" or "evening star," is the brightest natural object in the night sky after the Moon. 
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Earth
Earth
[noun]

a big round mass covered in land and water, on which we all live

Ex: The Earth has diverse ecosystems, ranging from forests to deserts. 
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Mars
Mars
[noun]

the 4th planet of the solar system located between earth and Jupiter

Ex: Mars has fascinated astronomers for centuries due to its distinct reddish hue visible from Earth. 
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Jupiter
Jupiter
[noun]

the 5th and the largest planet of the solar system located between Mars and Saturn

Ex: Jupiter is the fifth planet from the sun in the solar system. 
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Saturn
Saturn
[noun]

the 6th planet of the solar system located between Jupiter and Uranus, which has rings around it

Ex: Saturn is the second-largest planet in the solar system, after Jupiter, and has a diameter about 9 times that of Earth. 
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Uranus
Uranus
[noun]

the 7th planet of the solar system with a blue-green color located between Saturn and Neptune

Ex: The Voyager 2 spacecraft flew by Uranus in 1986, providing the first close-up images and data about its rings and moons. 
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Neptune
Neptune
[noun]

the 8th planet of the solar system with a ring of icy particles around it

Ex: Neptune’s vibrant blue color is due to the presence of methane in its atmosphere, which absorbs red light. 
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Pluto
Pluto
[noun]

(astronomy) a dwarf planet in our solar system that orbits beyond Neptune and is smaller than the eight major planets

Ex: Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006 by the International Astronomical Union. 
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