Glossary (EARTH)

Solar Nebula

The solar nebula is a cloud of gas and dust from which the Sun and the planets of the solar system formed.

Hadean Eon

The Hadean Eon is the earliest eon in Earth's history, spanning from the formation of the planet to about 4 billion years ago, characterized by a molten surface.

Lithosphere/Lithospheric

The lithosphere is the rigid outer layer of the Earth, consisting of the crust and the uppermost mantle. Lithospheric refers to anything related to the lithosphere.

Biosphere

The biosphere is the global sum of all ecosystems, including all life forms on Earth and their relationships with the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.

Hadley Cells

Hadley cells are large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns in the tropics, where warm air rises near the equator, cools, and sinks at higher latitudes, creating trade winds.

Ferrel Cells

Ferrel cells are atmospheric circulation patterns in the mid-latitudes, situated between Hadley and Polar cells, responsible for westerly winds.

Polar Cells

Polar cells are atmospheric circulation patterns found near the poles, where cold air sinks at the poles and moves towards lower latitudes.

Topographies

Topographies refer to the arrangement of natural and artificial physical features of an area, including mountains, valleys, and plains.

Apollo Astronauts

Apollo astronauts are the astronauts who participated in NASA's Apollo program, which included missions to land humans on the Moon and return them safely to Earth.