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Letter G

G is for …

Check out what G stands for …

Galaxy
Gauge
Geology
Glacier
Glider
Glovebox
Gravity
Gyroscope

Galaxy

One of the very large groups of stars and other matter that are found throughout the universe.

This artist's concept illustrates the new view of the Milky Way
Using infrared images from NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope, scientists have discovered that the Milky Way’s spiral has just two arms wrapping off the ends of a central bar of stars. Scientists had thought that the Milky Way had four major arms.
NASA

Sentences:
Earth is a planet in the Milky Way Galaxy.
NASA scientists have found many other galaxies in the universe.

Related Links:
Galaxies of All Shapes and Sizes

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Gauge

An instrument for measuring something.

A black circle with the letter E, representing empty, printed on the left and the letter F, representing full, printed on the ri
The fuel gauge in this drawing shows that the tank is almost empty.

Sentences:
The spacecraft has gauges that measure things like temperature and speed.
A gauge in the car shows the driver how much gas is in the tank.

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Geology

The study of a planet’s layers of soil and rock.

An astronaut and a geologist wearing spacesuits in the desert with test models of a lunar rover
One day, astronauts will travel to Mars and collect rock samples to learn more about the planet’s history.
NASA

Sentences:
NASA’s rovers are helping us learn more about the geology of Mars.
My brother wants to study the geology of the Grand Canyon when he is older.

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Glacier

A large piece of slow-moving ice. The smallest glacier is about the size of a football field.

An image of a large Glacier with snowy mountains in the background.
Glacier Grey in front of the Cuernos del Paine mountains in Chile.

Sentences:
Glaciers can be so long that NASA astronauts in orbit can take pictures of them.
Glaciers look like rivers made of ice.

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Glider

An aircraft that is like an airplane, except that it has no engine and is carried along by air currents.

Historic photo of the Wrights’ third test glider being launched, with one man aboard and one to each side of the glider
The Wright brothers’ 1902 test gliders were extremely important to the development of the first powered airplane. This photograph shows their third test glider being launched at Kill Devil Hills, N.C., on Oct. 10, 1902.
NASA

Sentences:
A paper airplane is a kind of glider.
Many people fly gliders in a hobby called hang gliding.

Related Links:
Glider

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Glovebox

A sealed container with built-in gloves. Astronauts do small experiments and test hardware inside it.

An astronaut works at a glovebox in a space station lab
Astronaut Satoshi Furukawa works at a glovebox on the International Space Station.
NASA

Sentences:
Astronauts can experiment with fire in the glovebox.
On the space station, experiments with small parts or liquids are done in the glovebox. This helps keep the space station safe and clean.

Related Links:
An Astronaut Works in the Glovebox

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Gravity

The force by which a planet or other body draws objects toward its center.

Astronaut Karen Nyberg pictured near fresh fruit floating in the space station
Astronaut Karen Nyberg is pictured near fresh fruit floating in the International Space Station.
NASA

Sentences:
The force of gravity keeps all of the planets in orbit around the sun.
It would be fun to play basketball on the moon where there is less gravity than on Earth.

Related Links:
Gravity in Space
What Is Gravity Really?

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Gyroscope

A spinning wheel set in a movable frame.

Close-up of a gyroscope toy
The world’s roundest gyroscope is used on Gravity Probe B mission.
NASA

Sentences:
Telescopes use gyroscopes to help the telescopes stay in their orbit.
The gyroscope looks like a spinning top.

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Explore More Letters

Go Back to NASA's Picture Dictionary

NASA's Picture Dictionary – H

NASA's Picture Dictionary – I

NASA's Picture Dictionary – J

NASA's Picture Dictionary – K