Glossary

A helping hand from the Glossary

L.I. - Library/Research skills

Using a glossary

Sometimes a book also has a glossary at the beginning or the end.  This gives short explanations of specialised or difficult terms used in the book.  The following is an example is from a book about the moon.

GLOSSARY Albedo        Asteroid   Mare Satellite Sputnik 1

in astronomy, the reflective property of planets a small rocky object found mainly in a belt or flat ring between the orbits of Jupiter and Mars; also called a minor planet because it is so small (the largest are only 200 km across). a large flat plain on the moon caused by lava flows and marked by ridges, depressions and faults; all 14 maria are on the side of the moon that faces Earth. a natural (e.g. moon) or artificial (e.g. spacecraft) object that orbits around a larger astronomical body. the first artificial satellite, which was launched into space to orbit around the Earth in 1957.

Name an artificial satellite. Sputnik 1

What is another term for a minor planet in orbit between Mars and Jupiter? Asteroid

What is the term for an object that orbits around another larger planetary body? satellite

What is the term used for a large flat lava flow on the moon? mare

What term is used to describe the characteristic light reflecting from a planet? Albedo