Group 1: The Universe and Sky Science#

Theme: Looking at the sky helps scientists discover the secrets of the universe.

observatory /əbˈzɜːvətri/ noun

1. An observatory is a building specially designed and equipped for studying the stars and weather.

astronaut /ˈæstrənɔːt/ noun

1. An astronaut is a person who is trained to travel and work in a spacecraft.

cosmos /ˈkɒzmɒs/ noun

1. The cosmos is the universe considered as a well-ordered whole.

astronomy /əˈstrɒnəmi/ noun

1. Astronomy is the scientific study of the stars, planets, and other natural objects in space.

astrology /əˈstrɒlədʒi/ noun

1. Astrology is the belief that the positions of the stars and planets influence human affairs and events on Earth.

universe /ˈjuːnɪvɜːs/ noun

1. The universe is the whole of space and everything that exists in it, including stars, planets, and galaxies.

telescope /ˈtelɪskəʊp/ noun

1. A telescope is a long, tube-shaped instrument with lenses that makes distant objects, such as stars, look larger and closer.

comet /ˈkɒmɪt/ noun

1. A comet is an object in space made of ice and dust that develops a long, bright tail when it approaches the sun.

orbit /ˈɔːbɪt/ noun

1. An orbit is the curved path followed by a planet, moon, or spacecraft as it travels around a larger body in space.

ecliptic /ɪˈklɪptɪk/ noun

1. The ecliptic is the circular path that the Sun appears to take across the sky during the year, or the plane containing the Earth’s orbit around the Sun.

envelope /ˈenvələʊp/ noun

1. An envelope is a covering or outer layer that surrounds something completely.

dust /dʌst/ noun

1. Dust is very small, dry particles of earth, sand, or other matter that lie on the ground or float in the air.

galaxy /ˈɡæləksi/ noun

1. A galaxy is an extremely large group of stars, planets, and other celestial bodies held together by gravity.

celestial /səˈlestiəl/ adjective

1. Celestial is used to describe things relating to the sky or outer space.

spectacle /ˈspektəkl/ noun

1. A spectacle is an unusual, impressive, or exciting sight.

crater /ˈkreɪtə/ noun

1. A crater is a large, bowl-shaped hole in the ground caused by an explosion or by the impact of a meteorite.

chunk /tʃʌŋk/ noun

1. A chunk of something is a large, thick piece of it that has often been cut or broken off.

ash /æʃ/ noun

1. Ash is the grey or black powder that remains after something has been completely burned.

sample /ˈsɑːmpəl/ noun

1. A sample of a substance is a small amount of it that is examined and analyzed scientifically.
2. A sample of people or things is a small group selected from a larger group to represent the whole.

interstellar /ˌɪntəˈstelə/ adjective

1. Interstellar means occurring or situated between the stars.

terrestrial /təˈrestriəl/ adjective

1. Terrestrial means relating to the planet Earth, rather than to space.
2. Terrestrial animals and plants live or grow on land rather than in water or air.

specimen /ˈspesəmɪn/ noun

1. A specimen is a single plant or animal which is an example of a particular species or type and is collected for scientific study.
2. A specimen of blood, urine, or tissue is a small quantity of it that is taken from someone and tested.

diameter /daɪˈæmɪtə/ noun

1. The diameter of a circle or round object is a straight line that passes through the centre of it, from one side to the other, or the length of this line.

radius /ˈreɪdiəs/ noun

1. The radius of a circle is the distance from its centre to its outer edge.

composition /ˌkɒmpəˈzɪʃən/ noun

1. The composition of something is the way in which its various parts are put together and arranged.
2. A composition is a piece of music or writing.

substance /ˈsʌbstəns/ noun

1. A substance is a particular type of solid, liquid, or gas that has specific physical properties.
2. The substance of something such as an argument, speech, or book is the most important idea or part of it.

fossil /ˈfɒsəl/ noun

1. A fossil is the hard, preserved remains of an animal or plant that lived thousands or millions of years ago, found inside rock.

compound /ˈkɒmpaʊnd/ noun adjective verb

1. In chemistry, a compound is a substance that consists of two or more chemical elements combined together.
2. A compound noun, word, or sentence is one that is made up of two or more existing parts.

meteorite /ˈmiːtiəraɪt/ noun

1. A meteorite is a piece of rock or metal from outer space that has fallen onto the surface of a planet.