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ACT Science - Astronomy and Aerospace Science

Here you will learn some English words related to astronomy and aerospace science, such as "rover", "probe", "flare", etc. that will help you ace your ACTs.

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ACT Vocabulary for Science
astronomer

a scientist who studies or observes planets, stars, and other happenings in the universe

Ex: The astronomer discovered a new exoplanet using advanced telescope technology. 
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astrophysicist

a scientist who studies the physical properties and phenomena of celestial objects and the universe as a whole

Ex: The astrophysicist analyzed data from the telescope to understand the formation of galaxies. 
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planetarium

a building with a dome in which moving images of planets, starts, and constellations are projected for educational or entertainment purposes

Ex: The school field trip included a visit to the planetarium to learn about the solar system. 
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observatory

a building where scientists observe stars, meteors, the weather, etc. using equipment such as telescope

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asteroid
asteroid
[noun]

any of the rocky bodies orbiting the sun, ranging greatly in diameter, also found in large numbers between Jupiter and Mars

Ex: Scientists study asteroids to learn about the early solar system and potential threats to Earth. 
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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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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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supernova
supernova
[noun]

an exploding star that as a result is emitting a very large amount of light, more than the sun

Ex: A supernova is a powerful explosion that occurs at the end of a massive star's life cycle. 
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constellation

a specific group of stars that form a pattern and have a name related to their shape

Ex: Orion is a well-known constellation visible in the winter sky. 
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comet
comet
[noun]

an object in space that is a mass of ice and dust and when it nears the sun it starts illuminating in the shape of a tail

Ex: Halley's Comet is one of the most famous comets, visible from Earth approximately every 76 years. 
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white dwarf

a small, dense, and faint stellar remnant that is left after a medium-sized star exhausts the nuclear fuel in its core and undergoes gravitational collapse

Ex: A white dwarf is the final stage in the life cycle of a sun-like star after it has exhausted its nuclear fuel. 
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exoplanet
exoplanet
[noun]

a planet that is outside the solar system

Ex: Astronomers have discovered thousands of exoplanets orbiting stars beyond our solar system. 
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asteroid belt

a region in the solar system located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, populated by numerous small celestial bodies called asteroids

Ex: The asteroid belt contains millions of asteroids ranging in size from small rocky fragments to larger bodies several hundred kilometers across. 
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ablation
ablation
[noun]

the process by which the surface of an object, such as a comet or an asteroid, erodes or vaporizes due to the effects of solar radiation and other environmental factors

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corona
corona
[noun]

the outer layer of the Sun's atmosphere, observable as a plasma halo during a solar eclipse

Ex: During a total solar eclipse, the corona of the Sun becomes visible as a radiant halo around the moon. 
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flare
flare
[noun]

a sudden, brief burst of increased brightness observed from the sun's surface, usually accompanied by a burst of energy and radiation

Ex: The solar flare emitted a powerful burst of radiation. 
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planetary
planetary
[Adjective]

related to or characteristic of planets or the solar system

Ex: Planetary orbits describe the paths that planets follow around the sun. 
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crater
crater
[noun]

the round top of a volcano

Ex: The scientist studied the formation of the crater after the volcanic eruption. 
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solar mass

a unit of mass used in astronomy, defined as the mass of the Sun

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extraterrestrial
extraterrestrial
[Adjective]

relating to or originating from outside the Earth or its atmosphere

Ex: Extraterrestrial life refers to organisms that exist beyond Earth. 
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photosphere

the visible surface of a star, including the Sun, where energy is emitted as light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation

Ex: The photosphere of the Sun appears as a bright, glowing disk when observed with proper solar filters. 
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to eclipse

to overshadow another astrological body

Ex: As the planet moved into the line of sight, it began to eclipse the star, diminishing its brightness. 
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interstellar
interstellar
[Adjective]

situated or occurring between stars or within the space that exists between stars

Ex: Interstellar travel involves journeying between star systems within the Milky Way galaxy or beyond. 
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Nebula
Nebula
[noun]

a glowing cloud of gas and dust in outer space, often the result of a star explosion or formation

Ex: The Orion Nebula is a famous example of a stellar nursery. 
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aurora
aurora
[noun]

a natural light display in the Earth's polar regions, caused by the collision of charged particles from the sun with atoms in the Earth's atmosphere

Ex: The breathtaking aurora danced across the night sky, painting it with vibrant hues of green and purple. 
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dwarf planet

a celestial body that orbits the Sun and has sufficient mass for its gravity to pull it into a nearly spherical shape

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celestial
celestial
[Adjective]

related to or occurring in the sky or outer space

Ex: Celestial navigation uses the positions of stars to determine the direction and location of a vessel. 
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probe
probe
[noun]

an unmanned spacecraft or device sent to gather information from space and transmit it back

Ex: The space agency launched a probe to study Mars. 
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spacecraft

a vehicle designed to travel in space

Ex: The spacecraft was launched to explore Mars and collect data about the planet's surface and atmosphere. 
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to launch
to launch
[Verb]

to send an object, such as a satellite, missile, etc., into space

Ex: The military launched a missile as part of a test exercise. 
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launch pad

a designated area at a spaceport or rocket launch site where rockets or spacecraft are positioned and prepared for liftoff

Ex: The astronauts boarded the spacecraft on the launch pad before their mission to the International Space Station. 
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rover
rover
[noun]

a robotic vehicle designed to move across the surface of a celestial body to conduct scientific experiments and gather data

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revolution

the orbital movement of a planet, moon, or satellite around another body

Ex: Earth's revolution around the sun takes approximately 365.25 days. 
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aeronautics

the science and practice of designing, building, and operating aircraft, including airplanes and spacecraft

Ex: Aeronautics engineers work to improve fuel efficiency in aircraft engines. 
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annular eclipse

a type of solar eclipse where the moon, passing between the earth and the sun, appears smaller than the sun, creating a ring of sunlight around the darkened moon

Ex: During an annular eclipse, observers in the path of the eclipse see a ring of sunlight encircling the Moon, creating a spectacular "ring of fire" effect. 
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armillary sphere

a model of the celestial sphere, historically used to depict and study the positions of celestial objects, consisting of a series of hoops representing important circles in the sky

Ex: The armillary sphere was used by astronomers in ancient Greece to demonstrate the motions of stars and planets. 
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tektite
tektite
[noun]

a small, natural glassy object formed from terrestrial debris ejected during meteorite impacts, known for its smooth texture and found in strewn fields across the Earth's surface

Ex: Collectors often seek out tektites for their unique origin and striking appearance. 
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