Source: https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2018/04/Photometer

Short Definition:

A photometer is an instrument used to measure the strength of electromagnetic radiation. It is the primary tool used in the field of photometry, a field that focuses on the study of the emitted intensity of the electromagnetic radiation of an astronomical body.

Detailed Definition:

One of the devices used in the research electromagnetic radiation is the photometer. The most crucial component of the photometer is a photoresistor, photodiode, or photomultiplier, varying on the type of the photometer, which is responsible for the conversion of light into electric current. Among others, photometers most commonly measure illuminance, irradiance, light absorption, fluorescence, and luminescence. Most of the photometers measure light by the incoming flux, however, photon counting is also a viable technique. Light detection occurs after the light passes through a filter, which then distinguishes the respective wavelengths. Photometers are used in many medical, laboratory and industrial applications. Uses include the identification and quantification of chemical components, pharmaceutical quality control and astronomical calculations.

Etymology:

"photo-" - Greek, combining form of phōs (genitive phōtos) - word-forming element meaning "light"

"-meter" - French -mètre, Greek metron - word-forming element meaning "a measure"

Sample Sentence(s):

"Photometers are used to gather data for improved lunar calibration of Earth-observing instruments."

"A photometer is often used in conjunction with a telescope."

Translations of Terms/Concepts into Partner Languages

French: Photomètre

German: Fotometer

Polish: Fotometr

Swedish: Fotometer

Links to Videos/Articles:

https://planetfacts.org/photometer/

https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-photometry-definition-process-uses.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95_yDQ9tAfs

Short Definition

The Pillars of Creation are a part of the Eagle Nebula that is located in constellation Serpens. They became popular when Hubble Telescope took first picture of them in 1995. The Pillars of Creation since then were revisited by various telescopes on multiple occasions throughout the years.

Detailed Definition
The Pillars of Creation are located 6,500 light years away from Earth and are part of a much bigger formation called Eagle Nebula. The pillars are only between 4 and 5 light years long, meanwhile the nebula they are located in stretches 70 to 55 light years long. Even though the nebula was discovered as early as 1745 by Jean-Philippe Loys de Chéseaux, the towers were captured first in 1995 by Hubble Telescope. The Pillars of Creation were photographed later on multiple occasions by different telescopes. Most recently, it was observed by the James Webb Telescope, giving us the first picture of them in infrared light.
The pillars became well known due to their distinguish features. The towers resemble buttes in the desert, which gives them a unique look that feels familiar to what we already know from the Earth’s scenery. Essentially, they are made out of dens hydrogen particles and gas. In the pictures of pillars, we can also see newborn stars that caste ultraviolet light.

Etymology
The name “Pillars of Creation” was inspired by a phrase used in “The Condescension of Christ” written by Charles Spurgeon in 1857.

Sample Sentence(s)

In Pillars of Creation, we can see new stars being formed.

Translations of Terms/Concepts into Partner Languages

French
Piliers de la création

German
Säulen der Schöpfung

Italian
Pilastri della Creazione

Polish
Filary Stworzenia

Swedish
Skapelsens pelare

Links to Videos/Articles:

• NASA, ESA and The Hubble Heritage Team (2018), The Pillars of Creation, Retrieved from https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/the-pillars-of-creation

• Prakash, P. (2022), All about the Pillars of Creation, recently captured by the James Webb Space Telescope, Retrieved from https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/all-about-the-pillars-of-creation-recently-pictured-by-the-james-webb-space-telescope/article66040094.ece

• Hubblesite (n.d.), Eagle Nabula ‘Pillars of Creation’, Retrieved from https://hubblesite.org/contents/media/images/3862-Image?keyword=eagle

• NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI (2022), Pillars of Creation (NIRCam and MIRI Composite Image), Retrieved from https://esawebb.org/images/pillarsofcreation_composite/

• ESA (2022), Hubble and Webb showcase the Pillars of Creation (side by side), Retrieved from https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2022/10/Hubble_and_Webb_showcase_the_Pillars_of_Creation_side_by_side

Source: Starkiteckt (2016, June 30). Icy Planet. flickr. https://www.flickr.com/photos/141051222@N04/27966261236

Definition:

A large round celestial body orbiting around a star.

Etymology

From the Greek word “πλανήτης” (“wanderer”).

Translations:

• English: planet    ['plænət] 
  
• French: planète (fem.)    [pla'nɛt]
  
• German:
  
• Polish: planeta
  
• Russian: планета (fem.)    [plɐˈnʲetə]
  
• Swedish:
  

Term/Concept: 

Planet Mars

Image/Video/Audio:

Image/Video/Audio Source:

Short Definition:

Detailed Definition:

Etymology:

Sample Sentence(s):

Translations of Terms/Concepts into Partner Languages [Multiple fields for entering the translation of the term in each partner language, additional languages can potentially be added, e.g. Russian, Chinese, Portuguese]

French: 

German:

Polish:

Swedish:

Links to Videos/Articles:

Short definition:  Planetary geology is a science discipline that focuses on the geology of solid-surface celestial bodies, such as planets and their moons, asteroids and meteorites. It is also known as space geology, astrogeology or exogeology.

Detailed definition: Planetary geology is a relatively new discipline, having appeared in the 1960s. Some topics that planetary geology is concerned with are: studying and analysing the composition of celestial bodies to better understand their origins and history; determining the properties and processes in the internal structure of astronomical objects, such as their volcanism, impact craters and fluvial processes; classifying exoplanets based on their geology and composition. Planetary geology is closely linked with the Earth’s geology, and many planetary geology studies are conducted by comparing the geology of the celestial body with the Earth’s geology. One of the main aims of these studies is trying to figure out whether other planets are capable of supporting life.

Etymology: Even though the prefix -geo comes from Ancient Greek γῆ (gê, “earth”) and is mostly associated with topics related to the Earth, planetary geology is named as such for historical and convenience reasons.

Sample sentence(s): Planetary geology researchers at Harvard contribute to robotic space missions to other planets.

Translations:

French: Géologie planétaire

German: Astrogeologie

Italian: Esogeologia

Polish: Geologia planetarna

Swedish: Astrogeologi

Links to Videos/Articles:

Byrne, P. K. (2021). Planetary Geology. In Elsevier eBooks (pp. 37–51). https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-08-102908-4.00125-9

Source: Midjourney (2023, May 25). AI illustration of point nemo. Midjourney. midjourney Space junkyard... Tags: space junkyard Keyword(s): Space Junkyard Probe (Last edited: Monday, 24 July 2023, 3:44 PM) Source: Todd, G. (October 2013). Mariner Space Probe. flickr. https://www.flickr.com/photos/101561334@N08/10437025414

Space junkyard...

Creator(s): Unknown Year: (n.d.) Title of image: Artist's rendering of ULAS J1120+0641 Description of image: Artist's rendering depicting ULAS J1120+0641, a distant quasar discovered in 2011. Retrieved from URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Artist%27s_rendering_ULAS_J1120%2B0641.jpg on May 29, 2023

Definitions

Short Definition
A quasar is an extremely bright and distant object in space that releases enormous amounts of energy. It is thought to be powered by a supermassive black hole at the centre of a galaxy. Quasars were first discovered in the early 1960s.

Detailed Definition
A quasar, or quasi-stellar radio source, is an incredibly luminous and distant celestial object emitting vast amounts of energy across various wavelengths. Powered by a supermassive black hole at the centre of a galaxy, quasars appear as star-like points of light but are located milliards of light-years away from Earth. They emit radio waves, visible light and X-rays, making them valuable for studying the early universe. Quasars' immense brightness provides insights into galaxy formation, black hole evolution, and the nature of spacetime. Despite their small size, quasars outshine entire galaxies and continue to captivate astronomers in their quest to unravel the secrets of these cosmic powerhouses.

Etymology
The term "quasar" is an abbreviation of the phrase "quasi-stellar radio source." It originated in the early 1960s when astronomers first discovered and studied these enigmatic celestial objects

Sample Sentence(s)

1. In 1963, the first measurement of the distance to a quasar — a radio source that looks like a star in visible light — showed it to be an enormously powerful beacon lying billions of light years away.

Author : Rober Antonucci, Year: (2013) Title of the article: Astronomy: Quasars at record distance Title of the Journal: Nature Volume : 495(7439) Page range: 165-166, Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/articles/495165a on May 29, 2023

2. As a student studying concepts of space, I was fascinated to learn about the powerful and distant quasars that emit extraordinary amounts of energy, shedding light on the mysteries of the universe.

Translations of Terms/Concepts into Partner Languages

French
un quasar

German
der Quasar

Italian
Quasar

Polish
Kwazar

Swedish
Kvasar

Additional Translations of Terms/Concepts into Other Lang...

Russian: Квазар

Links to Videos/Articles:

https://youtu.be/djQfyhqrERw

https://www.britannica.com/science/quasar

Image:

Image: Source: https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Engineering_Technology/Proba_Missions/Detecting_radiation

Short Definition:

Generation of strong and hazardous energy that results from atoms being broken up.

Detailed Definition:

The full process through which energy is released by one body, transported across a space or other intermediary, and then absorbed by another body. The universe is full of radiation as it is a form of energy that is emitted in the form of rays, electromagnetic waves, and/or particles, which are found all over the cosmos. Radiation may be utilized cautiously to learn more about biological and mechanical systems, despite the fact that it can also be harmful to both of these systems.

Etymology:

Radiation comes from the Latin radiare, which means emit rays.

Sample Sentence(s):

High radiation doses are administered to patients during cancer therapy.

Alpha particles are an illustration of ionizing radiation.

Translations of Terms/Concepts into Partner Languages

French: radiation

German: Strahlung

Polish: promieniowanie

Swedish: strålning

Links to Videos/Articles:

https://www.nasa.gov/feature/how-nasa-prepares-spacecraft-for-the-harsh-radiation-of-space

https://www.nasa.gov/analogs/nsrl/why-space-radiation-matters

Image

Image Shepard, A., NASA. (1972, December). Apollo 14 LM RCS quads. Retrieved form https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2d/LM_RCS.jpg

Short Definition

Reaction control system (RCS) is a system of low-thrust engines that is used to control orientation of a spacecraft in space (attitude control) and for fine position and velocity adjustments.

Detailed Definition

The reaction control system of a spacecraft consists of multiple low-thrust engines that are placed symmetrically on the spacecraft equidistantly from its barycentre to ensure even force and torque distribution. Thrusters can provide thrust in any direction and combining thrusters in different positions allows acquiring force in any direction or torque in any plane, which enables the spacecraft to perform translational motion in any direction and any of roll, pitch and yaw rotations. RCS is used for attitude control (for example, to keep a telescope pointed at one object for a long time), precise manoeuvring (for example, while spacecraft docking), orbit correction and other purposes.

Etymology

Reaction – re- (back, again, anew) + action (from French réaction)Control – from Anglo-French contreroller– exert authoritySystem – from Late Latin or Greek systema– an arrangement, organized whole, a whole compounded of parts

Sample Sentences

The spacecraft's reaction control system precisely adjusts the orientation and stability of the vehicle during maneuvers in the microgravity environment of space.

Translations in partner languages:

German: Reaktionskontrollsystem (RCS)

French: système de contrôle de la réaction (RCS)

Swedish: seaktionskontrollsystem (RCS)

Polish: system sterowania reakcyjnego (RCS)

Italian: sistema di controllo della reazione (RCS)

Translations in other languages:

References

Colas, A. L., Valenzuela, J. G. (2020, August). Reaction Control System Performance Characterization using Vacuum Chamber Thrust Stand. Retrieved form https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/10.2514/6.2020-3526

Boeing. (2006, November). ISS Motion Motion Control System. Retrieved from http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=34777.0;attach=586775

Image

Image U.S. Air Force. (2010, November). F100 F-15 engine. Retrieved from https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/69/F100_F-15_engine.JPG

Short Definition

A reaction engine is an engine that produces thrust by expelling reaction mass. It works in accordance with the third Newton's law of motion.

Detailed Definition

Reaction engines work in accordance with the third Newton's law of motion, stating that for every action force there is an equal by magnitude, but opposite in direction, reaction force. Thus, reaction engines apply force to the reaction mass, under which reaction mass accelerates and leaves the engine. As a result, the engine together with the vehicle are accelerated by the reaction force that makes the vehicle move. Jet engines and different types of rocket engines are reaction engines. In fact, this is the only engine capable of working in a vacuum, since there is nothing to propel a vehicle besides the fuel (reaction mass) carried by the vehicle itself, which makes those engines the only applicable to spacecrafts. Reaction engines have a broad application area that is not limited to space. For example, boats and ferries are often powered by reaction engines. But instead of a jet of heated gas, they expel water.

Etymology

Reaction – re- (back, again, anew) + action (from French réaction)Engine – from Middle English engyn or Anglo-Norman engine or Old French engin– skill, cleverness, war machine

Sample Sentences

The reaction engine utilized a combination of fuel and oxidizer to generate thrust for propulsion.

Translations from alliance partner languages:

References

The European Space Agency. (2020, December). System study results for SABRE-powered reusable launcher. Retrieved from https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Transportation/Future_space_transportation/System_study_results_for_SABRE-powered_reusable_launcher

Petrescu, R. V., Aversa, R., Apicella, A., Petrescu, F. I. T. (2018, January). Romanian Engineering, "On the Wings of the Wind". Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.3844/jastsp.2018.1.18

Source:https://www.airbus.com/sites/g/files/jlcbta136/files/styles/airbus_1440x1440/public/2021-10/Spacecraft_infographic.jpg?itok=IaLkM9ST)

Definition:

A mission under the supervision of the Surrey Space Centre of the University of Surrey (supported by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd., Airbus Defense and Space, Innovative Solutions in Space, CSEM, Inria and Stellenbosch University) that aimed to find the best method of capturing and removing space debris. The project was based on a satellite containing several pieces of equipment (a net, a harpoon, a drag sail and vision-based navigation equipment, as well as a set of targets simulating space debris), which remained in orbit between 2018 and 2021.

The satellite platform for the project RemoveDEBRIS was launched using SpaceX Falcon 9, was delivered to the International Space Station and later deployed into orbit, where a series of experiments on debris removal were conducted, using several pieces of equipment:

• a space net (ejected by the DebrisSat-1 at the distance of 7 meters from the target, aiming to entangle the targeted debris)
  
• vision-based navigation equipment (the DebrisSat-2 is used to identify and track the debris)
  
• a harpoon (firing at a 10*10 cm target extending from the platform at the distance of 1,5 m)
  
• a drag sail (used to deorbit the platform itself – unfortunately, the sail was not fully deployed during the in-orbit demonstration)
  

Translations:

• French:
  
• German:
  
• Polish: Misja DEBRIS
  
• Swedish:
  

Links to Videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLuHk5gWx3k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QUhCLTfXf0

Articles:

https://www.surrey.ac.uk/surrey-space-centre/missions/removedebris

https://www.airbus.com/en/products-services/space/in-space-infrastructure/removedebris

https://directory.eoportal.org/web/eoportal/satellite-missions/r/removedebris

Image

Image NASA. (2000, January). RS-68 being tested at NASA's Stennis Space Center. Retrieved from https://www.nasa.gov/images/content/148709main_d4_testing_08.jpg Photograph of a rocket engine in operation, with a converging plume of hot gas streaming out from the nozzle

Short Definition

A rocket engine is a jet engine that discharges a jet of high-temperature gas as reaction mass, which was acquired from the propellant stored internally in a vehicle. Rocket engines, unlike general jet engines, can only use internally stored propellant to create a jet, because they have to operate in space, where there is no medium like air or water which can be used as a reaction mass in jet engines on Earth.

Detailed Definition

A rocket engine is an internal combustion jet engine that discharges a jet of high-temperature gas as reaction mass, which was acquired from the propellant stored internally in a vehicle. Rocket engines, unlike general jet engines, can only use internally stored propellant to create a jet of gas as a result of chemical reactions, because they have to operate in space, where there is no medium like air or water which can be used as a reaction mass in jet engines on Earth. The nozzle is always an integral part of a rocket engine because it makes the jet accelerate as gas moves through the nozzle, and the higher the speed of a discharged jet, the more efficient the engine. The de Laval nozzle is the most common type of nozzles used in rocket engines, as it accelerates the gas passing through it most efficiently. Gas, when burnt, moves at a low subsonic speed and accelerates as it moves through the nozzle, reaching supersonic speed by the moment it leaves the nozzle.

Etymology

Rocket – from Old Italian rochetto– a bobbinEngine – from Middle English engyn or Anglo-Norman engine or Old French engin– skill, cleverness, war machine

Sample Sentences

The rocket engine ignited with a powerful roar, propelling the spacecraft into space.

Translations from our alliance partners' languages:

References

Braeunig, R. A. (2012). Rocket propulsion. Retrieved from http://www.braeunig.us/space/propuls.htm

Oberth, H. (1972, January). Ways to spaceflight. Retrieved from https://archive.org/details/nasa_techdoc_19720008133/page/n35/mode/2up

Definition:

Russian state corporation formed in 2015 and responsible for various aspects of the country’s space exploration activities (space equipment, infrastructure, international cooperation, etc.). The corporation is a legal successor of the Soviet space program which existed from 1955 to 1991 and Russian Space Agency founded in 1992.

Etymology

The name of the corporation “Роскосмос” consists of two elements: “Рос” (abbreviation for “Russian”) and “космос” (“space”).

Translations:

• French:
  
• German:
  
• Polish: Roskosmos
  
• Russian: Роскосмос    [ˌroˈskosməs]
  
• Swedish:
  

Image/Video/Audio Source: Author: Kamila Kopacz

Short Definition:

Detailed Definition:

Etymology:

Sample Sentence(s):

Translations of Terms/Concepts into Partner Languages [Multiple fields for entering the translation of the term in each partner language, additional languages can potentially be added, e.g. Russian, Chinese, Portuguese]

French: 

German:

Polish:

Swedish:

Source: NOAA Images (2015, August 18). Hurricane Katrina as seen by NOAA satellite. flickr. https://www.flickr.com/photos/77790740@N08/20676559362

Definition:

Satellite data, also referred to as satellite imagery, provides information about Earth and other planets in space, which are collected by man-made satellites in their orbits. Satellite data allow us to observe the Earth, as satellites deliver information about the surface and weather changes on the planet Earth.

Satellite data is generated via remote sensing technologies. In fact, it is very useful for providing authentic information about the atmospheres, oceans and land masses by constantly collecting  data from joined satellites.

Etymology:

The english word satellite derives from Latin satelles which means "accomplice, follower, attendant, or guard." There are natural satellites, e.g. the planet Moon which is following the Earth on a fix route, but also several artificial satellites which fulfill certain task, e.g. scientific or commercial.

Data is the classical plural of Latin datum which means (thing) given. In classical use originally ". From 1897 the term is referred to as "numerical facts collected for future reference."

Translations:

• French:
  
• German:
  
• Polish: dane satelitarne
  
• Swedish:
  

Links to Videos/Articles:

Satellite etymology in English | Etymologeek.com

data | Etymology, origin and meaning of data by etymonline

Short Definition
A solar eclipse is a natural phenomenon that occurs when the new moon is positioned between the Sun and Earth. A solar eclipse is visible when the Moon’s surface covers the Sun fully or partially casts a shadow on Earth.

Detailed Definition
A solar eclipse is a natural process during which the Sun is completely or partially obscured by the Moon's surface, creating a shadow over Earth. However, this shadow is not large enough to be visible from all parts of the world in the same way. For this reason, each successive solar eclipse can be observed from different sides of Earth, but never in all places at once.

We distinguish four types of solar eclipses:

1. A partial eclipse occurs when the Moon only partially eclipses the Sun.
2. An annular eclipse occurs when the entire Moon is not large enough to conceal the entire Sun. In this case, a ring of light can be observed around the shadow.
3. A total eclipse occurs when the Sun is completely obscured by the Moon. This can only be seen when the Moon is closest to Earth and only where the Moon’s shadow is the darkest.
4. An annular total eclipse (also called a hybrid eclipse) occurs when during the same eclipse it changes from the annular eclipse to the total eclipse or the other way around. This is the rarest type from all of those phenomena.

Etymology
Eclipse (Noun), originated from ancient Greek ἔκλειψις (ékleipsis) which means “the abandonment” or “the darkening of a heavenly body”.

Sample Sentence(s)

A solar eclipse cannot be visible from all the places on Earth all at once.

Translations of Terms/Concepts into Partner Languages

French
Éclipse solaire

German
Sonnenfinsternis

Italian
Eclissi solare

Polish
Zaćmienie Słońca

Swedish
Solförmörkelse

Links to Videos/Articles:

Source: Midjourney (2023, May 31). . midjourney. midjourney.com

Short Definition:

Solar sails (also known as light sail or photon sail) are a method of spacecraft propulsion using radiation pressure exerted by starlight on large mirrors. Solar sails can be used instead of traditional fuel consumption. First proposed in the 1980s as alternative propulsion method for low-weight long-distance spacecrafts, the first real usage of the solar sail system was in JAXA’s IKAROS mission, launched in 2010.

Detailed Definition:

The Solar sails use a phenomenon called solar pressure, which is the force produced by the impact of sunlight photons on the surface of the spacecraft. Normally, solar pressure is affecting all spacecrafts during flights and must be accounted for in trajectory planning, but in that specific case it is used as thrust. Vessels using solar sails must be lightweight as the total force exerted on an eight hundred by eight hundred meters solar sail is about 5 Newtons at Earth's distance from the Sun, so this propulsion method requires specially constructed spacecraft. If solar sails are implemented in space vessel it can produce propulsion without need of fuel usage and thus can be great for small satellites to travel to distant objects without great amount of storage for fuel and engines. The negative side of this technology is significantly small force compared to traditional liquid fuel engines and fragile sail build. Also, this system cannot be used far away from “propulsion” star, as thrust generated by the solar sail is inversely proportional to the square of the distance.

Etymology:

Solar - From Latin sōlāris, from sōl (“sun”),
Sail - From Middle English saile, sayle, seil, seyl, from Old English seġl

Sample Sentence(s):

“The IKAROS probe is the world's first spacecraft to use solar sailing as the main propulsion system.”
“Solar sail is the more effective the closer it is to the star.”

Translations:

French: 

Voile solaire

German:

Sonnensegel

Polish:

Żagiel słoneczny

Swedish:

Sol segel

Links to Videos/Articles:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305884757_Solar_sail_technology-A_state_of_the_art_review
https://global.jaxa.jp/projects/sas/ikaros/
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/tdm/solarsail/index.html

AGH Space Systems' Skylark rocket launch in Drawsko Pomorskie Source : Autor's photo

Short Definition:

Sounding rocket is a small, unmanned rocket that is meant to take measurements and perform scientific experiments on suborbital flights.

Detailed Definition:

A sounding rocket is a type of rocket that is used to carry scientific instruments to high altitudes for the purpose of collecting data. These rockets are typically smaller and less powerful than other types of rockets, and are launched vertically from a launchpad. The main advantage of sounding rockets is that they can reach altitudes of up to several hundred kilometers, allowing researchers to study the upper atmosphere and the effects of space on various materials and phenomena. Sounding rockets are often used for experiments in fields such as atmospheric science, astrophysics, and meteorology.

Etymology:

Sounding rockets take their name from the nautical term “to sound,” which means to take measurements. The term doesn't come from any latin or greek words.

Sample Sentence(s):

Next week, several sounding rockets will be launched from this site.

Translations:

French:

Fusée-sonde

German:

Höhenforschungsrakete 

Polish:

Rakieta suborbitalna, rakieta sądująca

Swedish:

Klingande raket

Links to Videos/Articles:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weeEGY4SR38

https://www.nasa.gov/missions/research/f_sounding.html

Image source: Midjourney (2023, June 01). AI illustration of space debris in earths orbit. midjourney. midjourney.com

Short Definition:
Space debris are man-made objects which are moving uncontrollably and quickly above the Earth at different altitudes. Space debris can cause significant damage to the orbiting satellites, space crafts, telescopes and space stations.

Detailed Definition:
Space debris are useless man-made objects in space. Examples might be everything from tiny flecks of paint released by thermal stress to the parts of a destroyed satellite or a dead satellite. The amount of space junk is gradually rising as the space activity is growing. To mitigate the negative impact of the debris on the working elements, space waste is divided into smaller parts. It is then either burnt in the atmosphere or sent to the graveyard orbit (especially larger objects like satellites that will no longer work). Space debris collides with each other generating more space waste. This increases the likelihood of further collisions and yields in a higher density of debris in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). This is called the Kessler syndrome.

Sample Sentence(s):
"The problem of managingspace debrisis both an international challenge and an opportunity to preserve the space environment for future space exploration missions."

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:S4-space-junk-045.jpg

Definition:

An area on Earth's surface or orbit in which decommissioned spacecrafts or satellites are discarded.

Etymology:

Translations:

• French:
  
• German:
  
• Polish: kosmiczne cmentarzysko
  
• Swedish:
  

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:RENDEZVOUS_-_ARTIST_CONCEPT_-_GEMINI-TITAN_GT-VI_and_GT-VII.jpg

Short Definition:

A space rendezvous is a series of orbital maneuvers focused on bringing together two orbiting spacecrafts. In most cases, a space rendezvous occurs between a space station and a spaceship trying to dock to it. Rendezvous requires a precise match of the orbital velocities and position vectors of spacecrafts, allowing them to remain at a constant distance during final maneuvers or docking.

Detailed Definition:

A space rendezvous is an approach in space to a very close distance (e.g. within visual contact) between spacecrafts or between a spacecraft and a celestial object at zero or very low relative speed. The space rendezvous requires carrying out complex orbital maneuvers, which must be completed in a minimum time without excessive consumption of the propellant. Rendezvous may or may not be followed by docking or berthing, procedures which bring the spacecraft into physical contact and usually create a link between them. NASA's first attempt at rendezvous was made on June 3, 1965, when astronaut Jim McDivitt tried to maneuver his Gemini 4 spacecraft to meet the Titan II launch vehicle's upper stage. Rendezvous was first successfully accomplished by NASA on December 15, 1965, and then lead to success of Apollo's program and moon landing.

Etymology:

Space - From Middle English space, from Anglo-Norman space, variant of espace, espas et al., and spaze, variant of espace, from Latin spatium(“to stretch, to pull”).
Rendezvous - Borrowed from French rendez-vous (“appointment”)

Sample Sentence(s):

The first space rendezvous was in 1965 during Gemini program
The Shuttle Program saw more than 50 space rendezvous and docking missions

Translations:

French: 

Rendez-vous spatial

German:

der Raumfahrt Rendezvous

Polish:

dokowanie, połączenie się statków w przestrzeni kosmicznej 

Swedish:

Rymdmöte

Links to Videos/Articles:

https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/worlds-first-space-rendezvous
https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Astronauts/Rendezvous_and_docking

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNXPtZDS-cg

Source: https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/the-canadarm2-robotic-arm-is-poised-to-capture-cygnus

Short Definition: 

Ssrms is a manipulator system equipped with two long arms, seven attachment points, and various precision robotic equipment is also known as 'Canadarm2', it is a second-generation robotic arm system in the Mobile Servicing System of the International Space Station, whose main purpose is to take part in high-tonnage/cosmic catching missions. It is the most efficient heavy-duty robotic system (Up to 116 tons) left on the ISS after the Canadarm1 was retired in July 2011.

Detailed Definition:

It is a space manipulator attached to the international space station.As an improved version of the Canadarm 1, the Canadarm 2 is aimed at enhancing; size, load-carrying capacity, arm reach, durability, and increased mobility. It is a robotic system that assists astronauts with payload handling, approach and docking of space shuttles, making Cosmic catches, and maintenance of the station. The robotic arm, which can be managed by the astronauts on the ISS and the NASA and CSA centers on the world, is also adorned with advanced imaging-light systems. It is also used as an anchor point by attaching it to other robotic equipment itself.

Sample Sentence(s): 

''Canadarm2 is made up of parts that can be replaced while in space.''

''Canadarm 2 will also help to berth the Axiom Space Station modules to the ISS.''

Translations:

French

Système de manipulateur à distance de la station spatiale

Italian

Sistema di manipolazione remota della stazione spaziale

Polish

System zdalnie sterowanego manipulatora stacji kosmicznej

Turkish

Uzay İstasyonu Uzaktan Manipülatör Sistemi

German

Fernmanipulatorsystem der Raumstation

Links to Videos/articles:

https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2020/04/Canadarm2_robotic_arm

https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/iss/canadarm2/about.asp

https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/elements/remote-manipulator-system-canadarm2/

Source: https://www.colorado.edu/faculty/kantha/sites/default/files/attached-files/sandoval_space_tethers.pdf proposed catch and release cycle of a spinning space tether

Short Definition:

Space tethers are long cables attached to a counterweight. It has many applications in space such as propulsion and momentum exchange etc. This idea could help lowering the amount of money needed to transport payload into low earth orbit by hooking onto specialized spacecrafts in the future and either increasing the speed for space travel or decrease it to prepare for landing.

Detailed Definition:

Despite recent achievements in making spacecrafts fully reusable, space travel and space infrastructure continues to be quite expensive and only reserved for a few institutions and companies. The aim is to commercialize space, but to achieve that goal we still need to vastly decrease the amount of money to get payload into low earth orbit. Skyhooks, a special type of space tethers, could help lowering the cost of transportation into space. The idea is to attach cable hundreds or thousands of kilometres to a counterweight and the weight spins in a circle. The tether will be lowered to be 80-150 kilometres above the earth, where it can hook onto spacecrafts and let them go at the best point to maximize speed adjustment. This idea could make reusable rockets much lighter and cheaper by lowering the amount of rocket fuel needed.

Etymology:

Space from Latinspatium

Sample Sentence(s):

Space tethers could revolutionize the space industry by lowering the money needed to get payload into low earth orbit.

French:
attache spatiale
German:
Raumseil
Polish:
uwięź kosmiczna
Swedish:
Rymdboj

Links to Videos/Articles:

https://science.nasa.gov/tether-space

Source: https://planetfacts.org/space-weathering/

Short Definition:

Space weathering is a general term used for different surface processes which happen to objects and celestial bodies in the harsh environment of outer space.

Detailed Definition:

Bodies in the outer space, which do not have atmospheres, are exposed to a number of devastating weathering processes, such as collisions of galactic or solar cosmic rays, the irradiation, implantation and spluttering from solar wind particles; the bombardment by different sizes of meteorites and micrometeorites. These phenomena are encompassed in the blanket term space weathering. The toll that space weathering takes on both the physical and optical properties of the surfaces of many celestial bodies is an important issue, as remotely sensed data needs to be processed appropriately.

Etymology:

"space" - Old French espace, Latin spatium - room, area, distance, stretch of time

"weather" - Old English weder, Old Saxon wedar, Old Norse veðr, German wetar - wind, weather

"we-" - Proto-Germanic wedra - to blow

Sample Sentence(s):

"Space weathering has to be accounted for during the design of space equipment."

Translations of Terms/Concepts into Partner Languages

French: Altération de l'espace

German: Weltraumverwitterung

Polish: Wietrzenie kosmiczne

Swedish: Rymdvittring

Links to Videos/Articles:

https://spaceweather.com

https://sservi.nasa.gov/articles/space-weathering-on-airless-bodies/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdzZdFZrGHA

Source: SpaceX (2016, September 25). SpaceX's proposed Interplanetary Spaceship, at Saturn.. wikimedia commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=51812109

Definition:

Etymology:

Closed compound noun, consisting of ‘space’ and ‘craft’

Translations:

• English: spacecraft (neutr.) – [ˈspeɪskɹɑːft]
  
• French: véhicule spatial (fem.) – [ve.i.kyl spa.sjal]
  
• German: Raumfahrzeug (neutr.) – [ˈʁaʊ̯mfaːɐ̯ˌt͡sɔɪ̯k]
  
• Polish: statek kosmiczny (masc.) – [ˈstatɛk kɔsˈmit͡ʂ.nɨ]
  
• Portuguese: espaçonave (fem.) – [es.ˌpa.so.ˈna.ve]
  
• Russian: космический аппарат (masc.) – [kɐsˈmʲit͡ɕɪskʲɪj ɐpɐˈrat]
  
• Swedish:
  

Note: the Russian translation has a slightly different meaning as it includes devices operating in atmospheres and on surfaces of other celestial bodies.

Short Definition:

A spacecraft propulsion system has the purpose of changing the velocity (acceleration) of a spacecraft and artificial satellites. It is utilised to both leave earth and for orbit insertion. 

To launch a spacecraft from earth, the propulsion method must overcome a higher gravitational pull to provide a positive net acceleration. The difficulty of achieving this change is directly proportional to the size of the vehicle, which is why spacecraft performance is generally discussed in amount of change in momentum per unit of propellant consumed, known as “specific impulse”. The higher the specific impulse, the better the efficiency. 

Once launched, satellites and spacecrafts may need to be moved between orbits, thus requiring propulsion. When a satellite has exhausted its ability to adjust its orbit, its useful life is over. The methods areas are divided into four groups: (1.) chemical propulsion (reaction and rocket engines), (2.) electric propulsion (ion, electrothermal and electromagnetic thrusters), (3.) advanced propulsion technologies and (4) supporting technologies. 

• Spacecraft: From Latin spatium/ "room” + from Nentish creft/ "power, physical strength"
  
• Propulsion: From Latin Pro (pro)/ “before” or “forward” + pellere (pulsion)/”to drive”
  

• Light travels approximately thirty thousand times faster than any current spacecraft propulsion technology.
  
• Nuclear pulse propulsion is a form of spacecraft propulsion that would use nuclear explosives to provide impulse to a spacecraft. 
  

Translations of Terms/Concepts into Partner Languages:

• French: Propulsion spatiale
• German: Antriebsmethoden für die Raumfahrt
• Polish: napęd statku kosmicznego
• Swedish: framdrivning av rymdfarkoster
• Spanish: Propulsión espacial

Links to Videos/Articles:

Space Propulsion: a Survey Study About Current and Future Technologies. DOI: 10.5028/jatm.v10.829

cf. Spacecraft

Source:

Short Definition: 

A Special Purpose Dextrous Manipulator (SPDM), also called 'Dextre', is a system that is part of the Mobile Servicing System (MSS) mounted on the International Space Station (ISS). This robotic system is designed to assist astronauts in spaces where human reach and endurance are limited.

Detailed Definition: 

It is a multi-talented robot added to Canadarm2 on March 16, 2008, by Nasa astronauts Mike Foreman and Richard Linnehan. Designed to withstand the harsh conditions of space, this robot supports astronauts for small tasks around the ISS. These tasks include installing and maintaining the various parts of the ISS's exterior, maintaining the Station's electrical system, and pre-testing new equipment to be added. This robot, which has two hands as sensitive as human hands, has a retractable motorized wrench, camera, light, and connection module in both hands.

Sample Sentence(s):'

'This multi-talented robot can ride on the end of Canadarm2 to move from worksite to worksite, or be ferried on the Mobile Base System.'' 

''Dextre is the most sophisticated space robot ever built.''

Translations:

French: Manipulateur agile à usage spécial

German: Geschickter Manipulator für besondere Zwecke

Italian: Manipolatore abile per scopi speciali

Polish: Zręczny manipulator do zadań specjalnych (SPDM)

Turkish: Özel Amaçlı Hünerli Manipülatör

Links to Videos/Articles: 

https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/elements/special-purpose-dextrous-manipulator/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_Servicing_System

https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/iss/dextre/about.asp

https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/iss/dextre/

https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/iss/dextre/data-sheet.asp

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNcRDBK8zxY&ab_channel=CanadianSpaceAgency

Source: Kutsaev, R. (no data). Stars Galaxy Free Stock Image. stocksnap. https://stocksnap.io/photo/stars-galaxy-IJ5DPL13HR

Definition:

1) A natural luminous body that is visible in the night sky and can be used for navigation.

2) A large celestial body producing light and energy by means of nuclear reactions inside of it.

Etymology

Greek “αστέρι”, Latin “stella”

Translations:

• English: star    [stɑ: (r)]
  
• French: étoile (f)    [et'wal]
  
• German:
  
• Polish: gwiazda
  
• Russian: звезда (f)    [zvʲɪˈzda]
  
• Swedish:
  

Media

Media ESO/Callingham et al.

Definitions

Short Definition
Stellar wind is a stream of particles released from the outermost levels of the atmosphere of a star. The effect occurs due to the outward pressure being strong enough to overwhelm the gravitational force.

Detailed Definition
Stellar winds are composed of atoms, ions, and subatomic particles that are ejected by stellar magnetic fields or radiation pressure of a star’s inner nuclear reactions. Stellar winds of lower mass stars are thought to be the result of their magnetic field activity. Winds generated in this process cause subtle depletion of star’s mass over the stable lifetime, up until its transformation into a red giant. Red giants emit slow (10km/s) and voluminous (M > 10^-3 solar masses per year) stellar winds driven by the outward radiation pressure. On the contrary, stars of greater mass tend to jettison up to a half of their initial mass over lifetime, substantially affecting their further evolution.

Etymology

Stellar: from Latin stella"star"
Wind: of Germanic origin, from Proto-Indo-European h₂wéh₁n̥tos (“wind”)

Sample Sentences

Bright bow shocks form around stars when their stellar winds interact with the
interstellar medium.

Translations of Terms/Concepts into Partner Languages

Additional Translations of Terms/Concepts into Other Languages

Russian
звездный ветер

Ukrainian
зоряний вiтер

Links to Videos/Articles:

Source: Midjourney (2023, May 25). AI illustration of a supernova. Midjourney. midjourney

Definition:

Brief, bright illumination of a supermassive star at the end of its lifetime by an explosion in which the original star itself is destroyed.

As it dies, a supermassive star goes through various stages of fusing different elements, forming a red supergiant. During this process, more and more heavy material is deposited onto the stellar core. Once the core’s mass tips past a certain threshold it collapses under its own gravity (meaning it cannot withstand its own gravitational force). The outer layers are blasted outwards in a supernova, the biggest explosion known to occur in the Universe. 

At its peak, a supernova can be brighter than an entire galaxy. Supernovae reach their peak luminosity in a matter of days, so their appearance and early decline can be observed in real time.

Etymology:

from Latin super “beyond”, “over and above” and stella nova “new star”

Translations:

Short Definition
A supernova remnant is a construction formed by the expanding debris left behind after a massive star undergoes a supernova explosion. It consists of a complex structure of shockwaves, gas, and dust, formed from the ejected material of the exploded star.

Detailed Definition
A supernova remnant undergoes a sequence of five distinct stages before reaching its final form.

First, the ejecta expands freely, gradually shedding their mass into the circumstellar or interstellar medium. Subsequently, the remnant begins to gather and compress surrounding gas, forming a prominent shell. In the ensuing phase, the shell undergoes cooling, resulting in the formation of a thinner, more delicate outer layer enveloping the still-hot interior. As the interior continues to cool, the shell expands further under its own momentum. Finally, the remnant merges with the surrounding interstellar medium, culminating in the formation of a fully-fledged supernova remnant.

Notable examples of supernova remnants include the Crab Nebula, the remnants of SN 1572, and Kepler, the remnants of SN 1604, named after Johannes Kepler. G1.9+0.3, discovered in the galactic centre, stands as the most recent known remnant within our galaxy.

Etymology
The word "supernova" originates from Latin, where "super" means "above" or "beyond," and "nova" translates to "new." The word "remnant" comes from the Latin term "remanens," which means "remaining" or "leftover."

Sample Sentence(s)

“Supernova remnants are very important to the structure of galaxies.” Mathis, J. S. (Invalid Date). supernova remnant. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/supernova-remnant

Translations of Terms/Concepts into Partner Languages

French
Rémanent de supernova

German
Supernovaüberrest

Italian
Resto di supernova

Polish
Pozostałość po supernowej

Swedish
Supernovarest

Additional Translations of Terms/Concepts into Other Lang...

Turkish
Süpernova kalıntısı

Dutch

Supernovarest

Spanish

resto de supernova

Portuguese

Remanescente de supernova

Links to Videos/Articles:

Astrum. (2016a, January 29). Supernova Remnants | Hubble Images 4K | Episode 2 [Video]. YouTube.

Source: Midjourney (2023, May 25). AI illustration of a planets surface. Midjourney. midjourney

Definition:

Etymology:

From Latin superficies.

Translations:

• German: Oberfläche (f) [ˈoːbɐˌflɛçə]
  
• French: surface (f) [syʁˈfas]
  
• Polish: powierzchnia
  
• Swedish:
  
• Russian: поверхность (f) [pɐˈvʲerxnəsʲtʲ]
  
• Portuguese: superfície (f) [supɨɾˈfisjɨ]
  

Links to videos/articles:

Source : https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dd/%E8%88%AA%E5%A4%A9%E5%91%98%E9%99%88%E5%86%AC_Chen_Dong.jpg/800px-%E8%88%AA%E5%A4%A9%E5%91%98%E9%99%88%E5%86%AC_Chen_Dong.jpg

Short Definition
A taikonaut is a Chinese astronaut who has experience in space exploration and is a member of Chinese space programme. Taikonauts participate in Chinese space missions, contributing to advancements in space exploration and scientific research.

Detailed Definition
China is the 3rd country, after Soviet Union and the United States to send a human into space in 2003. The first Chinese taikonaut, Yang Liwei, was launched into space aboard the Shenzhou 5 spacecraft. 

Etymology
The word "taikonaut" is a combination of the Chinese word "taikong" meaning "space" and the Greek suffix "-naut" meaning "traveller."

The term "taikonaut" is a term that refers to Chinese astronauts who are trained to participate in China's space missions. 

Taikonauts are selected from People's Liberation Army Air Force and undergo intensive physical and psychological training to prepare for the challenges of spaceflight. China plans to select and train more taikonauts for its future missions. 

Translations of Terms/Concepts into Partner Languages

French: un taïkonaute 

German: der Taikonaut

Italian: taikonauta

Polish: tajkonauta

Swedish: taikonaut

Translations of Terms/Concepts into other languages

Japanese

宇宙飛行士 (uchū hikōshi) or taikonaut (タイコノート)

Korean

태종 (taejong)

Russian

тайконавт (taikonavt)

Spanish

Taikonauta

Portuguese

taikonauta

Links to Videos/Article : 

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dd/航天员陈冬_Chen_Dong.jpg/800px-航天员陈冬_Chen_Dong.jpg 

Example sentence:  

A dozen of handpicked Chinese astronauts, or taikonauts as they are called, are set to explore new horizons in space in four manned flight missions within two years. In the first of these missions, three taikonauts aboard the Shenzhou-12 spacecraft have already successfully made it to space.

CGTN.  2021. What does it take to be a taikonaut?  Retrieved May 29, 2023, from https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-06-22/What-does-it-take-to-be-a-taikonaut--11hwXVttCww/index.html

Articles: 

VOA News Year: (n.d.) Title: Why China, African Nations Are Cooperating in Space Source: VOA News. Retrieved May 29, 2023, from https://www.voanews.com/a/why-china-african-nations-are-cooperating-in-space/6745595.html

Unknown. Year: 2022. China Launches New Crew to Space Station Source: The Washington Post.  Retrieved May 29, 2023 from https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/11/29/china-space-station-crew-launch/

Video: 

CGNT Chinese Global Television Network. 10. July 2021. Why are Chinese Astronauts called Taikonauts? Retrieved 18. June 2023 from 

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tektite#/media/File:Two_tektites.JPG

Short definition: 

Tektites are small pieces of natural glass that are typically black, green, brown, or grey in color. They are created when meteorites impact the Earth and cause terrestrial debris to be ejected and melted into a glass-like material.

Detailed Definition:

A tektite is a type of glass that is formed from the impact of a meteorite on the Earth's surface. The extreme heat and pressure of the impact melts and vaporizes the rocks at the impact site, which then cools and solidifies into a glass-like material. Tektites are typically black or green in color and have a smooth, rounded shape. They can vary in size from a few millimeters to several centimeters in diameter. Tektites are found in the areas around meteorite impact craters, and are used by scientists to study the effects of meteorite impacts on the Earth's surface.

Etymology:

tēktós - molten

Sample Sentence(s):

"Sir Thomas Mitchell found a tektite and gave it to Charles Darwin."

"Some human built objects, such as black buttons, can be mistaken for tektites."

Translations:

French:

Tectite

German:

Tektit

Polish:

Tektyt

Swedish:

Tektit

Links to videos/articles:

https://australian.museum/learn/minerals/shaping-earth/tektites/ 

https://www.britannica.com/science/tektite

Image Source: Kratochvil, P. (n.d.). Telecommunication antennas free stock photo - public domain pictures. Public Domain Pictures. Retrieved April 25, 2023, from https://www.publicdomainpictures.net/en/view-image.php?image=501498&picture=telecommunication-antennas

Short Definition:

Telecommunication is a method of transmitting various data and information over long distances. It is a faster alternative to other methods, which might be more limited in speed and complexity limitations.

Image/Video/Audio:

Image/Video/Audio: Image/Video/Audio Source: http://catalog.archives.gov/OpaAPI/media/23486741/content/stillpix/255-sts/STS125/STS125_ESC_JPG/255-STS-s125e011848.jpg

Short Definition:

Detailed Definition:

Etymology:

Sample Sentence(s):

Translations of Terms/Concepts into Partner Languages [Multiple fields for entering the translation of the term in each partner language, additional languages can potentially be added, e.g. Russian, Chinese, Portuguese]

French: 

German:

Polish:

Swedish:

Links to Videos/Articles:

Short Definition
Terrestrial planets are rocky planets with solid surfaces, composed mainly of silicate rocks and metals. They are considered potentially habitable due to their location within the habitable zone of their star, this means that they are located at a distance from their star where the temperature is neither too hot nor too cold for liquid water to exist.

Detailed Definition
Terrestrial planets include Earth, Venus, Mars, and Mercury and typically have thin or no atmospheres, distinguishing them from gas giants. With relatively high densities compared to gas giants, terrestrial planets tend to exhibit a wide range of geological features, such as mountains, valleys, and impact craters.
Additionally, their relatively high densities contribute to their stronger gravitational pull, which affects not only their overall structure but also the dynamics of their planetary systems. It is likely that there were more terrestrial planets during the formation of our solar system, but they either merged with each other or were destroyed. Their unique characteristics and potential for habitability make terrestrial planets a subject of ongoing scientific study and appealing for potential colonization by humans in the future.

Etymology
The term "terrestrial planets" originates from the Latin word "terra," which means "earth" or "land." The word "terrestrial" itself is derived from the Latin adjective "terraeus," meaning "of the earth."

The word "planet" has its roots in ancient Greek. It comes from the Greek term "planētēs," which means "wanderer" or "wandering star."

Sample Sentence(s)

"It's unclear what the dividing line is between a rocky planet and a terrestrial planet."

Dutfield, S., & Gammon, K. (2022). Terrestrial planets: Definition & facts about the inner planets and beyond. Space.com. https://www.space.com/17028-terrestrial-planets.html

Translations of Terms/Concepts into Partner Languages

French
Planète tellurique

German
Terrestrische Planeten or Erdähnlicher Himmelskörper

Italian
Pianeta terrestre

Polish
Planety skaliste, planety typu ziemskiego

Swedish
Stenplanet

Additional Translations

Spanish

Planeta terrestre

Turkish

Karasal gezegen

Dutch

Aardse planeten

Links to Videos/Articles

Dutfield, S., & Gammon, K. (2022). Terrestrial planets: Definition & facts about the inner planets and beyond. Space.com. https://www.space.com/17028-terrestrial-planets.html

Morbidelli, A., Lunine, J. I., O’Brien, D. P., Raymond, S. N., & Walsh, K. J. (2012). Building Terrestrial Planets. Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences, 40(1), 251–275. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-earth-042711-105319

Terrestrial | Planet Types – Exoplanet Exploration: Planets Beyond our Solar System. (n.d.). Exoplanet Exploration: Planets Beyond Our Solar System. https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/what-is-an-exoplanet/planet-types/terrestrial/

Cornerstone Television Network. (2015, October 8). Origins: The Terrestrial Planets [Video]. YouTube.

MooMooMath and Science. (2019, August 22). Terrestrial Planets in Order [Video]. YouTube.

Image Source: https://theplanets.org/kuiper-belt/

Short Definition:
The Kuiper belt (called Edgeworth-Kuiper belt) is a region in space located in the outer Solar System placed between 30 to 50-55 AU (astronomical units) from the Sun. It is a doughnut-shaped ring composed of gas, dust or asteroids.

Detailed Definition:
The first hypotheses about the Kuiper belt appeared in 1930, but it took over 50 years to confirm that hypotheses. Since then scientists discovered over 100000 KBOs (Kuiper belt object) with the diameter larger than 100 km. With that distance from the Sun, objects are mostly composed of leftovers from the solar system's early history which means icy bodies (frozen chemical elements and compounds). The largest KBOs are: Pluto (composed in 98 percent from nitrogen ice) and Eris (mostly built from methane). As the Kuiper Belt is icy-cold place it is thought to be the source of the comets in the solar system. The fascinating thing is that not only planets and dwarf planets might have moons but also lots on Kuiper Belt objects have ones.

Etymology:

Kuiper – Dutch – Kuiper - cooper – from the name of the scientist Gerard Kuiper
Belt – Latin - balteus - girdle

Sample Sentence(s):
“The amount of material in the Kuiper Belt today might be just a small fraction of what was originally there.”

French:
Ceinture de Kuiper

German:
Kuipergürtel

Polish:
Pas Kuipera

Swedish:
Kuiperbälte

Spanish
Cinturón de Kuiper

Links to Videos/Articles:

https://theplanets.org/kuiper-belt/
https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/news/792/10-things-to-know-about-the-kuiper-belt/       
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circumstellar_disc
https://www.britannica.com/place/Kuiper-belt
https://spacecenter.org/what-is-the-kuiper-belt/
https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/solar-system/kuiper-belt/overview/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pluto#Geology
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eris_(dwarf_planet)

Image Source:

Short Definition:
Solar system is the planetary system consisting of the Sun and other celestial objects which are gravitationally bounded with the Sun, located in an outer spiral arm of the Milky Way galaxy.

Detailed Definition:
The Solar system formed 4.6 billion years ago from the solar nebula. The mass of the Solar system is unevenly distributed. The Sun weights 99,86 % of the all masses in the system. The rest of it falls on the planets, dwarf planets, moons, asteroids etc. The Solar System is divided into 2 parts: the Inner Solar System (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars) – terrestrial planets composed of rock and metal and Outer Solar System (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune) – giant planets. The first two are gas giants (composed of hydrogen and helium), and the next two are ice giants (composed of water, ammonia, and methane). Between the inner and outer system is an asteroid belt with Ceres (dwarf planet). It is assumed that the asteroid belt has been created in a collision of a planet and celestial object. Behind the Neptune there is a Kuiper belt – similar to asteroid belt with Pluto, Charon and Eris (dwarf planets).

Etymology:
solar – Latin – solis - Sun
system – Greek – systema - set of entities that interact in an orderly and organized fashion

Sample Sentence(s):
The solar wind emanating from the Sun blasts through the Solar System, interacting with the planets, and pushing material out into interstellar space.

Système solaire

German:
Sonnensystem

Solsystem

El sistema solar

Links to Videos/Articles:
https://www.universetoday.com/15822/what-is-the-solar-system/
https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/solar-system/our-solar-system/overview/
https://www.britannica.com/science/solar-nebula
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2725996/

Image/Video/Audio Source:

Short definition:
Twilight is the phase (period) just after sunset, when astronomical night has not yet occurred.

late Middle English: from Old English twi- ‘two’ (used in an obscure sense in this compound)
from Latin lūx (“light”), from Proto-Indo-European *lewk- (“white; light; bright”)

Sample Sentence(s):
Twilight heralds the beginning of the night.

Le crépuscule

German:
die Dämmerung

El crepúsculo

Links to Videos/Articles:
https://www.weather.gov/lmk/twilight-types
https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/twilight
https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/different-types-twilight.html
https://youtu.be/FX1slLeJRPg

Definition:

A study aiming to investigate the effects of spaceflight on the human organism. The study was organized by NASA with the support of 8 universities across the USA. It was conducted in 2015-2016 and involved two identical twin brothers: Scott and Mark Kelly.

Scott Kelly served on a year-long mission aboard the International Space Station, while his brother Mark Kelly, a former NASA employee, remained on Earth. The twins study included an array of biochemical, neurological and other types of medical tests conducted before, during and after the spaceflight, i.e. over the span of 27 months. The results confirmed the robustness and resilience of human health, since 91,3% of Scott Kelly’s medical parameters returned to baseline six months after the spaceflight. The remaining changes were to be used for development of personalized measures to predict and overcome possible adverse consequences of spaceflight.

Article:

https://www.science.org/doi/pdf/10.1126/science.aau8650

Other sources:

https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-s-twins-study-results-published-in-science

https://www.nasa.gov/twins-study/about

Source:

Short definition: 

The umbra is the innermost and darkest part of a shadow, where light is completely blocked by an object. In the context of astronomy, the umbra is often observed during a solar eclipse, when the Moon's shadow is cast on the Earth.

Detailed Definition:

The Umbra is the innermost and darkest part of a shadow. It is the area where light is completely blocked by an object, such as a planet or moon. When a celestial body, passes between a star and another celestial body, it can cast a shadow on that body. The umbra is the part of the shadow that is directly behind the blocking body. The lighter part of the shadow - penumbra, is the area where only part of the light is blocked. The umbra and penumbra can be observed during a solar eclipse, when the Moon's shadow is cast on the Earth.

Etymology:

Umbra (Latin) - shadow

Sample Sentence(s):

"Terms "umbra" and "penumbra" are not limited to celestial bodies, they occur in shadows of everyday objects."

"During solar eclipse, when an observer stands in umbra, dusk seems to set from all directions on the horizon at once."

Translations:

German:

Umbra

Polish:

Cień całkowity

Links to videos/articles:

https://www.universetoday.com/155274/astronomy-jargon-101-umbra/

Source:Cajina, I. (2017, September 17). Milky Way from Max Patch. unsplash. https://unsplash.com/photos/asuyh-_ZX54

Definition

The totality of all existing matter, energy, space and time.

The universe is approximately 13,8 years old and has emerged as a result of the Big Bang, in which it emerged from a single point and continues to expand.

Translation

• French: l’Univers [y.ni.vɛʁ]
  
• German: das Universum [uniˈvɛʁzʊm]
  
• Polish: Wszechświat
  
• Russian: Вселенная[fsʲɪˈlʲenːəɪ̯ə]
  
• Swedish: Universum
  

Links to Videos/Articles:

https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/what-is-an-exoplanet/what-is-the-universe/

Image:

Image: Source: https://www.metabunk.org/attachments/metabunk-2018-10-31-08-37-23-jpg.34929/

Short Definition:

A vacuum is a space in which there is no matter such as gas or particles. It is found in space or can be generated by machines.

Detailed Definition:

Space that does not contain any gas inside its boundaries. However, it is also required that there is not any matter in general in either state such as gas, liquid, or solid, among other complex definition states. Even though the vacuum is found naturally in space, it is used on earth for different machines such as vacuum pumps, and vacuum chambers, among others.

Etymology:

Vacum comes from the latin Vacuus, which means empty.

Sample Sentence(s):

Life cannot be found or developed in the vacuum of space.

The dead body astronaut rambled in the vacuum of space.

Translations of Terms/Concepts into Partner Languages

French: vide

German: Vakuum

Polish: próżnia

Swedish: svenska

Links to Videos/Articles:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/365382138_A_Review_of_Research_on_the_Vacuum_Plume

DOI: 10.3390/aerospace9110706

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E43-CfukEgs&ab_channel=BBC

Illustration: http://www.astronaut.ru/as_rusia/lady62/foto/tereshkova02.jpg

Definition:

The first female cosmonaut, the 10^th person in the world to be sent into space. Valentina Tereshkova flew into space alone aboard Vostok-6 on June 16, 1963. The duration of the flight amounted to 2 days, 22 hours and 50 minutes, during which the spacecraft orbited the Earth 48 times.

Valentina Tereshkova was born in 1937 in the village of Bolshoye Maslennikovo in Yaroslavl Oblast, USSR. In 1960, she graduated from Yaroslavl Light Industry Training School as a cotton spinning technician, and in 1969 received a qualification from Zhukovsky Air Force Engineering Academy as a pilot, cosmonaut and engineer. She enjoyed parachuting, which later turned out to be one of the criteria for cosmonaut selection. Following the spaceflight, she worked as a cosmonaut instructor until reaching mandatory retirement age in 1997. Later she continued working as a politician, which she had already been doing since 1966. Her daughter Elena is said to be the first child in the world whose parents are both cosmonauts.

Translation:

• French:
  
• German:
  
• Polish: Walentyna Tierieszkowa
  
• Russian: Валентина Терешкова
  
• Swedish:
  

Links to Videos/Articles:

http://www.astronaut.ru/crossroad/010.htm

https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Терешкова,_Валентина_Владимировна

Source: Hecht, M. (2012, June 5). Venus Transit. flickr. https://www.flickr.com/photos/76858203@N04/23105554654

Definition:

Venus is the planet with the second closest orbit to the Sun.

Venus is our inner neighbor in space in the Solar System. It is a celestial body located just 40 million kilometers far from the Earth. Venus resembles the earth in the main parameters: size, mass, density and internal structure almost match.

Etymology:

In Roman mythology (= ancient stories), the goddess (= female god) of beauty and love.

Translations:

• French: Vénus (fem.) [ve.nys]
• German: Venus (fem.) [ˈveːnʊs]
• Polish: Wenus [ˈvɛ.nus]
• Portuguese: Vênus (fem.) [ˈvẽ.nus]
• Russian: Венера [vɛˈnɛrə]
• Swedish: Venus

Image:

Image: Source: https://www.dw.com/en/volcanic-eruptions-can-cool-the-planet/a-40727123

Short Definition:

A volcano is a hill or mountain with a hole where lava, rocks, or gas may be seen erupting from a planet or moon's interior.

Detailed Definition:

A crack in the earth's crust through which substances such as lava, steam, ashes, etc. are released continually or sporadically. Volcanoes are known to exist on the planets Mercury, Venus, Earth, the Moon, Mars, and the moon Io of Jupiter. Only two of these bodies currently have active volcanoes: Earth and Io. However, Venus or Europa, the moon of Jupiter, may have volcanoes erupting.

Etymology:

Volcano comes from the Latin Vulcanus, which is the name of the fire god.

Sample Sentence(s):

The volcano's lava was pouring down the mountainside.

On the seabed of Jupiter's moon Europa, there has been volcanic activity.

Translations of Terms/Concepts into Partner Languages

French: volcan

German: Vulkan

Polish: wulkan

Swedish: vulkan

Links to Videos/Articles:

https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/topic/volcanoes

https://chandra.harvard.edu/press/10_releases/press_081810.html

Image/Video/Audio:

Image/Video/Audio: Picture: A white dwarf Image/Video/Audio Source: File:White dwarf.jpg - Wikimedia Commons. (2011, April 5). https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:White_dwarf.jpg

Short Definition:

White dwarfs, or cold stars, is a term often used to describe stars in the final stages of their evolution. These stars, which lose their energy sources and cannot perform fusion reactions, are the stars that tend to squeeze into themselves due to the gravitational law. This phenomenon was firstly discovered by the British astronomer 'William Herschel' in 1783.

Detailed Definition:

As one of the densest stellar remnants in space, white dwarfs are stars that have run out of most of their nuclear fuel and tend to collapse inwards. These stars, which are relatively Earth-sized and composed entirely of carbon and oxygen mass, are less than 1.4 solar masses when their cores are stable, but they tend to suffer constant heat and radiation loss because they do not undergo any fusion process. According to NASA's calculations, the core temperatures of white dwarfs can reach up to 100,000 Kelvin. Apart from the carbon and oxygen mass that make up their core, their envelope are surrounded by thin helium and in some cases hydrogen atoms.

Etymology:

White - from Proto-Indo-European (ḱweydós)

Dwarf - from Proto-Germanic (dwergaz)

(white - Wiktionary. (n.d.). https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/white)

(dwarf - Wiktionary. (n.d.). https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/dwarf)

Sample Sentence(s):

‘’White dwarfs evolve from stars with an initial mass of up to three or four solar masses or even possibly higher.’’

(The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (1998, July 20). White dwarf star | Definition, Size, Mass, Life Cycles, & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/white-dwarf-star)

‘’White dwarfs reach this incredible density because they are collapsed so tightly that their electrons are smashed together, forming what is called "degenerate matter.’’

(Dobrijevic, D., & Tillman, N. T. (2022, March 4). White dwarfs: Facts about the dense stellar remnants. Space.com. https://www.space.com/23756-white-dwarf-stars.html)

Translations of Terms/Concepts into Partner Languages:

French:

Naine blanche

German:

Weißer Zwerg

Polish:

Biały karzeł

Swedish:

Vit dvärg

Turkish:

Beyaz Cüce

Links to Videos/Articles:

Dobrijevic, D., & Tillman, N. T. (2022, March 4). White dwarfs: Facts about the dense stellar remnants. Space.com. https://www.space.com/23756-white-dwarf-stars.html

Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell. (2017, May 4). The Last Light Before Eternal Darkness – White Dwarfs & Black Dwarfs [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsN1LglrX9s

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (1998, July 20). White dwarf star | Definition, Size, Mass, Life Cycles, & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/white-dwarf-star

White Dwarfs. (2021, May 4). Science. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/white-dwarfs

Wikipedia Year: (n.d.) Yuri Gagarin - 1961-04-12. Wikimedia Commons. Retrieved May 29, 2023, from https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/vi/7/7f/Yurigagarin-1961-04-12.jpg

Definitions

Short Definition

Yuri Gagarin was a Soviet cosmonaut and the first human to travel into space. On April 12, 1961, aboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft, Gagarin completed a single orbit around the Earth, marking a significant milestone in human space exploration. His flight lasted 108 minutes and made him an international symbol of space exploration and achievement.

Detailed Definition
Yuri Gagarin (1934 - 1968) was a Soviet pilot and cosmonaut and the first human to journey into space. In 1961, he became the first human to travel into space aboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft. His flight lasted just under two hours, during which he orbited the Earth once. Gagarin's historic achievement made him an international celebrity and a symbol of Soviet scientific and technological prowess. 

Etymology
The surname "Gagarin" is derived from the Russian word "gagary," which means "cuckoo."

Sample Sentence(s)

1. Gagarin's flight came at a time when the United States and the Soviet Union were competing for technological supremacy in space. 

David, L. Year: 2012 First Man in Space: Yuri Gagarin's Historic Vostok 1 Flight. Space.com Retrieved Date: May 29, 2023, from https://www.space.com/16159-first-man-in-space.html

2. The Gagarin crater on the Moon is named after Yuri Gagarin, in recognition of his achievement as the first human to journey into space.

Translations of Terms/Concepts into Partner Languages

French
Yuri Gagarin

German
Yuri Gagarin

Italian
Jurij Gagarin

Polish
Jurij Gagarin

Swedish
Jurij Gagarin

Additional Translations of Terms/Concepts into Other Languages

Russian: Юрий Гагарин

Links to Videos/Articles:

Britannica Year: (n.d.). Yuri Gagarin. Encyclopedia Britannica Retrieved Date: May 29, 2023, from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Yuri-Gagarin

BBC News. 2021. Yuri Gagarin: The first man in space - BBC News. Retrieved Jun 12. 2024 from https://youtu.be/KANuFlelQ5k.

Media

Media Zenith & Nadir, DJ Jeffery, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 2003.

Definitions

Short Definition
Zenith is a point on the celestial sphere that is directly above the observer. The zenith is diametrically opposite to the nadir.

Detailed Definition
Zenith is determined by the direction of the gravitational force at particular point on Earth. Typically, the term implies astronomical zenith, that is, the point at which the imaginary line drawn from the geometrical centre of the Earth through the observer intersects with the celestial sphere. The angular distance from zenith is called the zenith distance of the celestial body. The zenith and the nadir form two poles of the horizon.

Etymology
From Medieval Latin cenit, from Arabic samt (ar-ra's)“path (over the head)”

Sample Sentences

Translations of Terms/Concepts into Partner Languages

Additional Translations of Terms/Concepts into Other Languages

Russian
зенит

Ukrainian
зенiт

Links to Videos/Articles: