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A complete collection of English space vocabulary
The universe lies somewhat beyond the everyday experiences of most people. In this article, PREP has compiled and curated a selection of common English space vocabulary that is related to outer space, astronomy, and aerospace, along with examples to help clarify their meanings. Join PREP below to explore this vocabulary resource!
I. A complete collection of English space vocabulary
PREP has compiled and consolidated outer space vocabulary most comprehensively and accurately. Additionally, PREP provides meanings, parts of speech, and examples for each term to help fully clarify their understanding.
1. Solar system vocabulary
First, we need to explore how many planets there are in our solar system and what their names are. Join PREP to explore the vocabulary table below!
Space Vocabulary | Word class | Example |
Solar system /ˈsəʊlə ˈsɪstɪm/ | Noun | Our solar system consists of the Sun, eight planets, and numerous other celestial bodies. |
Planet /ˈplænɪt/ | Noun | Earth is the third planet from the Sun in our solar system. |
Moon /muːn/ | Noun | The Moon is Earth’s natural satellite, orbiting around it. |
Star /stɑ:/ | Noun | The brightest star in our night sky is Sirius, located in the constellation Canis Major. |
Asteroid /’æstərɔɪd/ | Noun | Ceres is the largest known asteroid in our solar system, located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. |
Sun /sʌn/ | Noun | The Sun is a massive ball of hot gasses that provides light and heat to our solar system. |
Mercury /’mɜ:kjɘri/ | Noun | Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun and has a very thin atmosphere. |
Venus /’vi:nɘs/ | Noun | Venus is often referred to as Earth’s sister planet due to its similar size, but it has a thick and toxic atmosphere. |
Earth /ɜ:θ/ | Noun | Our planet Earth is the only known celestial body to support life as we know it. |
Mars /mɑ:z/ | Noun | Mars is often called the “Red Planet” due to its reddish appearance, caused by iron oxide on its surface. |
Jupiter /’dʒu:pɪtɘr/ | Noun | Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system and has a prominent banded appearance. |
Saturn /’sætɘn/ | Noun | Saturn is known for its beautiful ring system, which consists of thousands of individual rings made of ice and dust particles. |
Uranus /’jʊɘrɘnɘs/ | Noun | Uranus is an ice giant planet that rotates on its side, making it unique in our solar system. |
Neptune /’neptju:n/ | Noun | Neptune is the farthest known planet from the Sun and has a blue color due to methane in its atmosphere. |
Pluto /’plu:tɘʊ/ | Noun | Pluto, once considered the ninth planet, is now classified as a dwarf planet in the outer regions of our solar system. |
2. Vocabulary about astronomical constellations
Next, PREP will guide you all to explore the vocabulary about astronomical constellations. Check out the space vocabulary about astronomical constellations and let PREP know which constellation below you belong to!
Space Vocabulary | Word class | Example |
Constellation /ˌkɒnstəˈleɪʃən/ | Noun | Orion is one of the most famous constellations in the night sky, known for its distinctive belt of three stars. |
Capricorn /ˈkæprɪkɔːn/ | Noun | Capricornus is a faint constellation, with only one star above magnitude 3; its alpha star has a magnitude of only 3.6. |
Aquarius /əˈkweərɪəs/ | Noun | Aquarius is one of the oldest of the recognized constellations along the zodiac (the Sun’s apparent path). |
Pisces /ˈpaɪsiːz/ | Noun | Pisces’s vast bulk – and main asterism viewed in most European cultures per Greco-Roman antiquity as a distant pair of fishes connected by one cord each that join at an apex – are in the Northern celestial hemisphere. |
Aries /ˈeriːz/ | Noun | Aries is located in the Northern celestial hemisphere between Pisces to the west and Taurus to the east. |
Taurus /ˈtɔːrəs/ | Noun | Taurus is a large and prominent constellation in the Northern Hemisphere’s winter sky. |
Gemini /ˈʤɛmɪnaɪ/ | Noun | Gemini is located in the northern celestial hemisphere. |
Cancer /ˈkænsə/ | Noun | Cancer is one of the twelve constellations of the zodiac and is located in the Norther |
Leo /ˈliːəʊ/ | Noun | Leo is one of the constellations of the zodiac, between Cancer the crab to the west and Virgo the maiden to the east. |
Virgo /ˈvɜːgəʊ/ | Noun | Virgo is prominent in the spring sky in the Northern Hemisphere, visible all night in March and April. |
Libra /ˈliːbrə/ | Noun | Libra is a constellation of the zodiac and is located in the Southern celestial hemisphere. |
Scorpius /ˈskɔːpɪəs/ | Noun | Scorpius is a zodiac constellation located in the Southern celestial hemisphere, where it sits near the center of the Milky Way, between Libra to the west and Sagittarius to the east. |
Sagittarius /ˌsædʒɪˈteriəs/ | Noun | Sagittarius is one of the constellations of the zodiac and is located in the Southern celestial hemisphere. |
Ophiuchus / ɒfijuːkəs / | Noun | Ophiuchus is a constellation located near the celestial equator and is often referred to as the “serpent bearer.” |
Aquila /ˈakwɪlə/ | Noun | Aquila is a constellation in the northern hemisphere and represents the eagle in Greek mythology. |
Canis Major /ˈkenɪs ˈmeɪʤə/ | Noun | Canis Major is a constellation that contains the brightest star in the night sky, Sirius. |
Cassiopeia /ˌkasɪəˈpiːə/ | Noun | Cassiopeia is a prominent constellation in the northern hemisphere and is named after a queen in Greek mythology. |
Cygnus /ˈsɪɡnəs/ | Noun | Cygnus is a constellation known as the “Northern Cross” and is home to the bright star Deneb. |
Lyra /ˈlʌɪrə/ | Noun | Lyra is a small constellation that contains the bright star Vega and is associated with the lyre in Greek mythology. |
Orion /əˈraɪən/ | Noun | Orion is a prominent constellation known for its distinctive pattern of three stars in a row, representing Orion’s belt. |
Hydra /ˈhaɪdrə/ | Noun | Hydra is the largest constellation in the night sky and is named after the water snake in Greek mythology. |
Serpens /ˈsəːp(ə)nz/ | Noun | Serpens is a constellation that represents a serpent and is divided into two parts: Serpens Caput (head) and Serpens Cauda (tail). |
Big Dipper /bɪgˈdɪpə/ | Noun | The Big Dipper is not a constellation but is part of the constellation Ursa Major. It is a prominent asterism in the northern sky. |
Grus /ɡrʌs/ | Noun | Grus is a constellation in the southern hemisphere and represents the crane in Greek mythology. |
3. Other English space-related vocabulary
In addition to the vocabulary on the 2 main topics above, let's take a look at some other space vocabulary about the universe, the vast outer space!
Space Vocabulary | Word class | Meaning | Example |
Atmosphere /ˈætməsfɪə/ | Noun | the mixture of gases around the earth | The Earth’s atmosphere is composed of various gasses and layers that protect and sustain life on the planet. |
Galaxy /ˈgæləksi/ | Noun | one of the independent groups of stars in the universe | The Andromeda Galaxy is one of the closest spiral galaxies to the Milky Way and can be seen with the naked eye from Earth. |
Multiverse /ˈmʌl.ti.vɜ˞ːs/ | Noun | a collection of different universes that are thought by some people to exist at the same time | The concept of a multiverse suggests the existence of multiple universes, each with its own set of physical laws and properties. |
Universe /ˈjuːnɪvəːs/ | Noun | everything that exists, especially all physical matter, including all the stars, planets, galaxies, etc. in space | The universe is the vast expanse of space and all matter and energy within it, including galaxies, stars, planets, and other celestial bodies. |
Cosmos /ˈkɒzmɒs/ | Noun | the universe considered as a system with an order and pattern | The word “cosmos” refers to the entire universe, including all matter, energy, and space. |
Aerospace /ˈer.oʊ.speɪs/ | Noun | the making and operating of aircraft or spacecraft | Aerospace engineering involves the design and development of aircraft and spacecraft, as well as related technologies and systems. |
Vacuum /’vækjuəm/ | Noun | a space from which most or all of the matter has been removed, or where there is little or no matter | In outer space, there is a vacuum, which is an area devoid of matter and air. |
Meteorite /ˈmiːtiəraɪt/ | Noun | a piece of rock or other matter from space that has landed on earth | A meteorite is a solid object that survives its passage through Earth’s atmosphere and lands on the surface. |
Meteor /ˈmiːtiə/ | Noun | a piece of rock or other matter from space that produces a bright light as it travels through the atmosphere | A meteor is a small celestial body that enters Earth’s atmosphere and burns up, producing a streak of light known as a shooting star. |
North star /nɔːθ stɑː/ | Noun |
| Polaris, also known as the North Star, is a prominent star that appears almost stationary in the night sky and can be used for navigation. |
The Evening star /ði ˈiːvnɪŋ stɑː/ | Noun |
| The Evening Star refers to the planet Venus when it is visible in the western sky after sunset. |
The Morning star /ðə ˈmɔːnɪŋ stɑː/ | Noun |
| The Morning Star refers to the planet Venus when it is visible in the eastern sky before sunrise. |
Comet /’kɒmɪt/ | Noun | an object that moves around the sun, usually at a great distance from it, that is seen on rare occasions from the earth as a bright line in the sky | Comet Hale-Bopp was a famous comet that appeared in the night sky in the late 1990s, captivating stargazers around the world. |
Black Hole /blæk həʊl/ | Noun | a region in space where gravity is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape | A black hole is a region in space with intense gravitational forces that prevent anything, including light, from escaping. |
White Hole /waɪt həʊl/ | Noun |
| A white hole is a hypothetical region of space that is the opposite of a black hole, where matter and energy are expelled instead of being absorbed. |
Eclipse /waɪt həʊl/ | Noun | an occasion when the sun disappears from view, either completely or partly, while the moon is moving between it and the earth, or when the moon becomes darker while the shadow of the earth moves over it | An eclipse occurs when one celestial body passes in front of another, blocking its light or casting a shadow. |
Lunar eclipse /ˈluːnər ɪˈklɪps/ | Noun |
| A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon, causing the Moon to darken and sometimes appear reddish. |
Astronomy /əsˈtrɒnəmi/ | Noun | the scientific study of the sun, moon, stars, planets, etc. | Astronomy is the scientific study of celestial objects, including stars, planets, galaxies, and other phenomena in the universe. |
Light Year /laɪt jɪə/ | Noun |
| A light year is a unit of astronomical distance, representing the distance that light travels in one year, approximately 9.46 trillion kilometers. |
Orbit /ˈɔːbɪt/ | Noun | a curved path followed by a planet or an object as it moves around another planet, star, moon, etc. | The International Space Station orbits around the Earth, completing a full orbit approximately every 90 minutes. |
Spaceship /ˈspeɪsʃɪp/ | Noun | a vehicle that travels in space, carrying people | The SpaceX Crew Dragon is a crewed spacecraft designed to transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station. |
Rocket engine /ˈrɑː.kɪtˈen.dʒɪn/ | Noun | a propulsion system that generates thrust by expelling mass at high speeds | The SpaceX Falcon 9 is a rocket engine for propulsion during launch and ascent. |
Craft /kɹɑːft/ | Noun | a vehicle for travelling on water or through the air | The Hubble Space Telescope is a sophisticated scientific craft that orbits the Earth, capturing stunning images of distant galaxies and celestial objects. |
Crew /kɹuː/ | Noun | a group of people who work together, especially all those who work on and operate a ship, aircraft, etc. | The crew of the International Space Station consists of astronauts from different countries who work together in space. |
Rover /´rouvə/ | Noun | a person who spends their time travelling from place to place | The Mars Rover Curiosity is a robotic vehicle that explores the surface of Mars, collecting data and images to study the planet’s geology and search for signs of past or present life. |
Space Suit /speɪs sjuːt/ | Noun | a specialized garment worn by astronauts | Astronauts wear space suits during spacewalks to protect themselves from the harsh conditions of space, including extreme temperatures and the lack of atmospheric pressure. |
Satellite /ˈsætəlaɪt/ | Noun | a device sent up into space to travel around the earth, used for collecting information or communicating by radio, television, etc. | The Hubble Space Telescope is a famous satellite that orbits Earth, capturing breathtaking images of distant galaxies and helping astronomers study the universe. |
Rocket /ˈrɒkɪt/ | Noun | a large cylinder-shaped object that moves very fast by forcing out burning gases, used for space travel or as a weapon | The SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket is a powerful launch vehicle capable of sending heavy payloads, including satellites and spacecraft, into orbit or on interplanetary missions. |
Telescope /ˈtɛlɪskəʊp/ | Noun | a cylinder-shaped device for making objects that are far away look closer and larger, using a combination of lenses, or lenses and curved mirrors | The James Webb Space Telescope is an upcoming space-based telescope that promises to revolutionize our understanding of the universe, enabling observations in infrared light and exploring the early stages of cosmic history. |
Microscope /ˈmaɪkrəˌskoʊp/ | Noun | a device that uses lenses to make very small objects look larger, so that they can be scientifically examined and studied | The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) is an advanced instrument that uses electron beams to examine the surface of materials at a highly detailed level, revealing structures not visible with traditional light microscopes. |
Alpha centauri /ˈælfə sɛnˈtɔːrʌɪ/ | Noun |
| Alpha Centauri is the closest star system to our solar system, located approximately 4.37 light-years away. It consists of three stars, including the binary pair Alpha Centauri A and B. |
Nebula /ˈnɛbjʊlə/ | Noun | a cloud of gas or dust in space, appearing either bright or dark | A nebula is a vast cloud of gas and dust in space, often illuminated by nearby stars, and can be the birthplace of new stars. |
Horsehead Nebula /hɔːs hɛd ˈnɛbjʊlə/ | Noun |
| The Horsehead Nebula is a famous dark nebula located in the constellation Orion, named for its distinct shape resembling a horse’s head. |
Gravity /ˈɡræv.ə.t̬i/ | Noun | the force that attracts objects towards one another, especially the force that makes things fall to the ground | Gravity is the force that attracts objects with mass towards each other, keeping planets in orbit around stars and giving weight to objects on Earth. |
Zero-gravity /ˈzɪərəʊˌgrævɪti/ | Noun | the state of being weightless | Zero-gravity refers to the condition experienced by astronauts in space, where there is a lack of gravitational forces, resulting in a feeling of weightlessness. |
Unidentified flying objects (UFOs) /’ʌnai’dentifaid flying ‘ɔbdʤikt/ | Noun | an object seen in the sky that is thought to be a spacecraft from another planet | UFOs are objects or phenomena observed in the sky that cannot be readily identified or explained, often associated with claims of extraterrestrial spacecraft. |
Alien Life /ˈeɪliən laɪf/ | Noun | The life on other planets | Alien life refers to the existence of living organisms or intelligent beings outside of Earth, which is a topic of great interest and speculation in the field of astrobiology. |
Alien /ˈeɪ.li.ən/ | Noun | a creature from another world | An alien is a term used to describe a hypothetical extraterrestrial being, often portrayed in science fiction as having characteristics different from those found on Earth. |
Flying saucer /ˈflaɪ.ɪŋˈsɑː.sɚ/ | Noun | a round spacecraft that some people claim to have seen and that some people believe comes from another planet | A flying saucer is a term often used to describe a hypothetical, unidentified flying object (UFO) that is disc-shaped or saucer-shaped in appearance. |
Gravitational /¸grævi´teiʃənəl/ | Adjective | relating to gravity or gravitation | Gravitational forces play a crucial role in the motion and behavior of celestial bodies, such as planets, stars, and galaxies. |
Explore /ɪkˈsplɔːr/ | Verb | to search a place and discover things about it | Astronauts and space probes are sent to explore distant planets, moons, and other celestial bodies to gather information and expand our knowledge of the universe. |
Travel /ˈtrævəl/ | Verb | to make a journey, usually over a long distance | Spacecraft, such as rockets and spaceships, are designed to travel through space to reach different destinations, such as other planets, asteroids, or even other star systems. |
Discover /dɪˈskʌvər/ | Verb | to find information, a place, or an object, especially for the first time | Through exploration and observation, scientists and astronomers strive to discover new celestial objects, phenomena, and insights about the universe. |
Launch /lɔːntʃ/ | Verb | an occasion when a ship is put into water, or a spacecraft is sent into space, for the first time | Space missions are initiated by launching rockets from Earth to propel spacecraft into space and commence their journeys. |
Land /lænd/ | Verb | to come down through the air onto the ground or another surface | Landings occur when spacecraft touch down on celestial bodies, such as the Moon or Mars, to perform scientific experiments or exploration. |
Observe /əbˈzɜːrv/ | Verb | to see or notice somebody/ssomething | Astronomers use telescopes and other instruments to observe and gather data about celestial objects and events. |
Study /ˈstʌdi/ | Verb | to watch or to look at somebody/something carefully in order to find out something | Scientists study various aspects of space, including the behavior of celestial bodies, the properties of different planets, and the nature of the universe itself. |
Investigate /ɪnˈvɛstɪˌɡeɪt/ | Verb | to carefully examine the facts of a situation, an event, a crime, etc. to find out the truth about it or how it happened | Researchers investigate specific phenomena, such as black holes or dark matter, to gain a deeper understanding of their characteristics and effects. |
Monitor /ˈmɒnɪtər/ | Verb | to watch and check something over a period of time in order to see how it develops, so that you can make any necessary changes | Satellites and observatories are used to monitor the activities and behavior of celestial objects, such as the movements of asteroids or changes in star brightness. |
Collect /kəˈlɛkt/ | Verb | to bring things together from different people or places | Space missions often involve collecting samples, such as moon rocks or comet dust, to bring back to Earth for analysis. |
Analyze /ˈænəlaɪz/ | Verb | to examine the nature or structure of something, especially by separating it into its parts, in order to understand or explain it | Scientists analyze collected data and samples to extract meaningful information, draw conclusions, and gain insights into the nature of the universe. |
Measure /ˈmɛʒər/ | Verb | to find the size, quantity, etc. of something in standard units | Precise measurements of distances, sizes, temperatures, and other physical properties are crucial in astronomy and space exploration to understand celestial phenomena accurately. |
Document /ˈdɒkjʊmənt/ | Verb | to record something in the form of a written document, photograph, film, etc. | Scientists and researchers document their findings, observations, and analyzes to contribute to the knowledge base and share discoveries with the scientific community and the public. |
Navigate /ˈnævɪɡeɪt/ | Verb | to plan and direct the course of ship, plane, car etc., for example by using a map | Astronauts and spacecraft use navigation systems to determine their position, trajectory, and direction while traveling through space. |
Experiment /ɪkˈspɛrəmənt/ | Verb | to do a scientific experiment or experiments | Scientists conduct experiments in space to study various phenomena, test theories, and gather data that cannot be easily replicated on Earth. |
Simulate /ˈsɪmjəleɪt/ | Verb | to create particular conditions that exist in real life using computers, models, etc., usually for study or training purposes | Scientists use computer simulations to model and simulate complex astronomical phenomena or spacecraft missions, helping to understand and predict their behavior. |
Sphere /sfɪr/ | Noun | a solid figure that is completely round, with every point on its surface at an equal distance from the centre | A sphere is a three-dimensional geometric shape that is perfectly round in shape, resembling a ball. Planets and stars are often approximated as spheres. |
Ellipse /iˈlɪps/ | Noun | a regular oval shape, like a circle that has been pressed on two sides | An ellipse is a geometric shape resembling a flattened circle. The orbits of planets around the Sun and satellites around planets are elliptical in shape. |
Void /vɔɪd/ | Noun | a large empty space | A void in space refers to a region that is mostly empty or contains very few galaxies or matter, leading to a relatively low density compared to its surroundings. |
II. Exercises on English space vocabulary with detailed answers
1. Exercises
Exercise 1: Arrange the English space vocabulary - the names of the planets in the solar system from nearest to farthest from the Sun.
Mars, Uranus, Mercury, Sun, Earth, Neptune, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter. |
Exercise 2: Look at the picture and guess the corresponding English space vocabulary
Image | Word |
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2. Answer keys
Exercise 1:
Sun ➞ Mercury ➞ Venus ➞ Earth ➞ Mars ➞ Jupiter ➞ Saturn ➞ Uranus ➞ Neptune
Exercise 2:
Image | Word |
 | Spaceship |
 | Alien |
 | Galaxy |
 | Star |
 | Flying saucer |
The English space vocabulary has been comprehensively summarized by PREP in this article. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to leave a comment and PREP will provide the explanation!
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