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11 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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craters |
A circular pit, generally with a raised rim and sometimes what a central peak. Its diameters on the Moon range from centimeters to several hundred kilometers. Most of them are formed by the impact of solid bodies, such as asteroids. |
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differential gravitational force |
The difference between the gravitational forces exerted on an object at two different points. The effect of this force is to stretch the object. Such forces create tides and, if strong enough, may break up an astronomical object. |
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highlands |
The old, heavily cratered regions on the Moon. |
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maria |
The large, smooth, dark areas of the Moon's surface. |
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rays |
Long, narrow, light-colored markings on the Moon or other bodies that radiate from young craters. They are debris "splashed" out of the crater by the impact that formed it. |
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regolith |
The surface rubble of broken rock on the Moon or other solid body. |
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rilles |
Narrow canyons on the Moon or other body. |
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synchronous rotation |
A form of nonthermal radiation emitted by charged particles spiraling at nearly the speed of light in a magnetic field. Pulsars and radio galaxies emit this radiation. The radiation gets its name because it was first seen in synchrotrons, a type of atomic accelerator. |
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tidal braking |
The slowing of one's body's rotation as a result of gravitational forces exerted on it by another body. |
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tidal bulge |
A bulge on one body created by another body's gravitational attraction on it. Two title bulges form, one on the side near the attracting body and one on the opposite side. |
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tides |
The rise and fall of Earth's oceans created by the gravitational attraction of the Moon. Tides also occur in the solid crust of a body and its atmosphere. |
