M is for…
NASA’s Picture Dictionary
Machine
A thing made up of fixed and moving parts, used for doing some kind of work.
Sentences:
The space shuttle was one of the most complex machines ever built.
My mom put my dirty clothes in the washing machine.
Related Links:
Make a Newton Machine
Magnet
A material or object that produces a force that pulls on other magnetic materials.
Sentences:
NASA’s Mars Pathfinder used magnets to collect dust from the air on Mars.
We used a magnet to pick up the sewing needles and pins.
Matter
Anything that has weight and takes up space, as a solid, liquid or gas.
Sentences:
NASA studies whether matter acts differently in space than it does on Earth.
Gases, liquids and solids are three states of matter.
Meteor
A space rock that becomes so hot it glows when it passes into Earth’s atmosphere.
Sentences:
A meteor is also called a shooting star.
We stayed up late to watch the meteor shower in the sky.
Related Links:
What is a meteor shower?
Meteorite
A rock that has fallen to Earth from outer space.
Sentences:
NASA scientists study meteorites that have landed on Earth.
A meteorite landed in our neighbor’s backyard.
Meteoroid
A small chunk of rock or iron that travels through space.
Sentences:
When a meteoroid heats up in Earth’s atmosphere, it makes a bright trail. Then it is called a meteor.
That meteoroid used to be a part of a comet.
Microgravity
The condition of being weightless, or of the near absence of gravity.
Sentences:
Astronauts experience microgravity when they orbit around Earth.
Coming down from a jump on a trampoline gives you a small feeling of what it is like to be in microgravity.
Go Back Up
Mission
A special job given to a person or group of people.
Sentences:
Buzz Lightyear’s mission to the International Space Station lasted more than 15 months.
Would you like to go on a space mission someday?
Model
A copy of something, often smaller than the original object.
Sentences:
David has a model of the space shuttle hanging in his room.
My dad likes to make model cars and airplanes.
Related Links:
Make a CD Saturn
Module
A self-contained unit of a spacecraft.
Sentences:
The International Space Station is made of many different modules.
Students named the Harmony module in a NASA contest.
Related Links:
“Parts of the International Space Station Assembly” Video
