Natural Satellite Study Guide A natural satellite is a celestial body that orbits a planet or a similar body. Natural satellites are also commonly referred to as moons . These satellites are held in orbit by the gravitational pull of the planet they are orbiting.
There are two main types of natural satellites :
Regular Satellites : These are large moons that orbit close to their parent planet and in the same direction as the planet's rotation . For example, Earth's moon is a regular satellite .Irregular Satellites : These are smaller moons that have more distant and often inclined orbits . They may also orbit in the opposite direction of the planet's rotation . These satellites are often captured asteroids or comets .Characteristics of Natural Satellites Natural satellites have some key characteristics:
There are numerous natural satellites in our solar system . Some notable examples include:
Study Guide When studying natural satellites , consider the following questions:
What are the defining characteristics of natural satellites ? How do natural satellites differ from artificial satellites? What are some examples of natural satellites in the solar system ? What role do natural satellites play in the dynamics of their parent planets ? Additionally, it can be helpful to create diagrams or models to visualize the orbits and characteristics of natural satellites .
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