Created By: Maureen Salzman

Vocabulary Revolution: movement of one object

around anotherConstellation: group of stars that form

patternTelescope: instrument that makes things

that are far away look clearer and biggerOrbit: path an object takes around

another planetAsteroid: Chunk of rock or metal that

orbits the sunLunar Eclipse: result of Earth’s shadow

falling on the moon

Vocabulary Continued

Phases: different shapes the moon seems to haveStar: hot ball of glowing gasesSolar System: sun and objects that orbit around

the sunAxis: imaginary line that goes through the North

Pole and South PolePlanet: large body of rock or gas that orbits the

sunRotation: spinning of an object on its axisSolar Eclipse: result of the moon’s shadow falling

on EarthComet: large ball of ice and dust that orbits the

sun

Sun

The Sun is a star and is the center of our Solar System. The Sun is the closest star to our planet. It is also the largest, hottest, and brightest object in the Solar System. The Sun also has more mass than any other object in the Solar System. Due to the Sun’s mass it exerts a powerful gravitational pull, which holds all the planets in orbit around it.

http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/solar_system_level1/sun.html

Sun Facts:

The Sun is about 5-billion-years-old.

All of the planets and moons (satellites) of the solar system could fit inside of the Sun.

The Sun is much larger than the Earth, but looks smaller because it is so far away (93 million miles or 150 million kilometers away).

All the planets revolve around the sun.

The Sun revolves around the center of the Milk Way Galaxy.

The Sun mainly contains a hydrogen gas.

Sun’s core may reach up to 27 million degrees Fahrenheit and the surface is about 6,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

Hydrogen atoms constantly crash into each other forming another gas called helium. When this occurs, it releases energy and this energy warms the Sun and causes it to shine.

The Sun provides sunlight, which helps plants make food for us to eat and oxygen for us to breathe.

93 m

illion

miles

apart

Inner Planets •Mercury•Venus•Earth •Mars

•* Rocky surfaces •* Closest to the Sun•* Warmer because they are closer to the Sun •* None of the planets have more than 2 moons* Inner planets are almost smaller than the outer planets (except for Pluto).

Mercury

* First planet from the Sun or the first planet in the Solar System

* About 58 million kilometers from the Sun (36 million miles)

* Mercury is a small, rocky planet with a dusty surface filed with craters (round holes).

* Mercury doesn’t have an atmosphere, so that means there is no air on this planet.

*Resembles the Earth’s moon (satellites)

* A year on Mercury is only 88 Earth-days long.

* One day is 59 Earth-days long.

* Named for the fast-footed Roman messenger of the gods and known as the Planet Closest to the Sun

Venus * The second planet in the order from the Sun

* It is about 108 million kilometers from the Sun (67 million miles)

* Has no moons (satellites) and is almost the same size as Earth

* Venus is a dry, hot planet with tall mountains, deep valleys, and is covered in thick, yellow clouds.

* One year on Venus is 225 Earth-days long

* One day is 243 Earth-days long

* God of Love and Beauty and known as the Earth’s twin

Earth* Third planet from the Sun with one satellite (Moon)

* It is about 149 million kilometers from the Sun (93 million miles)

* One moon (satellite) and is mostly covered by water

* Earth is the only planet that can sustain life as it has water, air, and food. This planet is not too hot or too cold. It is also the only planet that has plants and animals.

* Earth looks like a ball covered with white clouds, brown land, and areas of blue oceans.

* A year on Earth is 365 days long.

* Every four years we have a leap year – making 366 days per year.

* One day is 24 hours long.

* Known as the “Water Planet”

Moon

* A satellite is a body in the sky that orbits a larger body. Earth is a satellite of the sun. The moon is a satellite of Earth. The moon is Earth’s only natural satellite.

* It takes the moon (satellite) about 27 1/3 days to complete one revolution around Earth.

* The moon is about 240,000 miles from Earth.

* We can only see one side of the moon (satellite).

* We see the moon (satellite) because the sun shines on it. Sunlight hits the moon and is reflected back to Earth. The moon does not make light of its own.

* There is no air or water on the moon (satellite).

*The surface of the moon is covered with rocks, dust, and craters. The craters are bowl-shaped like holes.

* Craters were formed more than 4.5 billion years ago. They were made by meteors crashing into the moon (satellite).

•http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/solar_system_level1/moon.html

The Sun, the Moon, and the Earth

• The sun, the moon, and Earth are part of the solar system.

• The sun, the moon, and Earth all affect one another.

• The Sun is the center of our solar system. The sun is a star. It is the closest star to Earth. It gives off light and heat.

• The Moon moves around the Earth. It does not give off its own light or heat. The light from the moon is reflected light from the sun.

• The Earth is the planet where you live. It is the third planet from the sun. Earth moves around the sun.

• The sun, the moon, and Earth are part of our solar system.•

The sun is the center of our solar system.

• Earth moves around the sun.

• The moon moves around the Earth.

Phases of the Moon

http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/shadow/solar_system_level2/javascript/moonlight.html

What Makes Day and Night on Earth?

The spin of Earth on its axis makes day and night.

The Earth Rotates

Earth completes one rotation, or spin, around its axis every 24 hours. When it’s daytime on one half of the Earth, it’s nighttime on the other half of the Earth. There are about 365 rotations, or days, in one year.

The Sun Stays in One Place

The sun looks as if it moves across the sky, but it does not move. It is the Earth that is actually moving. So does everything else on Earth, including you.

Remember

•The spin of Erath on its axis makes day and night.•Earth completes one rotation every 24 hours.

•When it is day over one half of Earth, it is night over the other half.

•The sun stays in one place.

Solar Eclipses * An eclipse of the sun occurs when the moon comes between the sun and the

Earth.

What happens to the Sun?

* An eclipse of the sun happens when Earth, moon, and sun line up in a straight line. As the moon passes in front of the sun, the sun is blocked from view on Earth.

What happens on Earth?

* During a solar eclipse, the moon’s shadow sweeps across the face of Earth. Part of Earth becomes dark for four or five minutes. If you watch an eclipse of the sun, make sure not to look right at the sun. Doing so could hurt your eyes.

• Remember

* An eclipse of the sun occurs when the moon comes between the sun and Earth.

* During a solar eclipse, the sun is blocked from view on Earth.

* During a solar eclipse, part of Earth becomes dark.

* It takes about 29.5 days for the moon to complete a cycle of phases.

Moon’s Cycle

Full Moon Waxing Gibbous

Last quarter moon Waning Gibbous

Waxing Crescent

Mars

* Is the fourth planet from the Sun

* 141 million miles (227 million kilometers) from the sun

* Mars has 2 moons (or satellites) * A year on Mars is 687 Earth-days long.

* One day is 24 ½ Earth-hours long.

* Is known as the Red Planet

* Mars is about half the size of Earth. It is a desert except for the ice caps at the north and south poles. It has tall mountains and deep canyons. The soil is full of rust-colored iron dust. This makes Mars look red. Strong winds blow up big storms of the red dust. It is very cold on Mrs. Mars doesn’t have an atmosphere.

* Known as the “Red Planet” and the Roman God of War

Asteroids Belt

Asteroids are small bodies that orbit the sun, mostly between Mars and Jupiter that is filled with irregularly shaped chunks of debris called asteroids. Objects in this asteroid belt are made of rock and metal, mostly nickel and iron. Scientists believe the asteroids are pieces of a planet that never formed.

http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/solar_system_level1/asteroids.html

Meteoroids Small chunks of iron and rock that break away from colliding asteroids are called meteoroids or “shooting stars.” These bright tails (meteoroids) have been known to fall to the Earth’s atmosphere; but most burned up by friction before they reach the earth’s surface.

http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/solar_system_level1/meteoroids.html

Outer Planets JupiterSaturnUranusNeptunePluto

They are made mostly from frozen gases.

They are bigger than the inner planets except for Pluto.

Jupiter is the largest planet.

Colder than the inner planets.

Pluto is smaller than the Earth’s moon.

Rings of dust and ice around them.

Many moons.

More outer planets than inner planets.

Jupiter

* 483 Million miles from the sun

* Has at least 16 satellites (or moons) and is the fifth planet from the sun.

* Is the largest of all the planets and is also one of the brightest.

* One year on Jupiter is 12 Earth-years long

* One day on Jupiter is 10 Earth-hours

* Jupiter is a giant ball of gas with a small rocky center. It is covered by thick clouds. It is freezing at the top of the clouds.

* There is a large red spot on Jupiter that may be a giant storm. The spot is known as “The Great Red Spot.”

* A thin ring of rocks orbits the planet

* Is the fifth planet form the Sun

* Known as the largest planet and the King of Gods

* 1000 Earths could fit inside Jupiter if it were hollow

Jupiter’s Moons

Io, Io & Jupiter Ganymede

Jupiter’s Great Red Spot

Saturn

Infrared image of Saturn

* Is the sixth planet form the Sun

* Second largest planet

* 887 million miles (1 billion, 416 million kilometers) from the sun

* Has at least 18 satellites (Moons) and is known for its many rings that go around it

* A year on Saturn is about 30 Earth-years long.

* One day is only 10 ½ Earth-hours long.

* Like Jupiter, Saturn is a giant ball of gas with a rocky center.

* Saturn is freezing cold at the top of the clouds.

* It is very hot at its center.

* Known as the Roman God of Agriculture and the “Ringed Planet”

Saturn’s Moon

Titan

Several of Saturn’s Moons: Dione, Tethys,

Mimas, Enceladus, Rhea,

and Titan

Uranus

* Is the seventh planet from the Sun

* 1 billion, 783 million miles (2 billion, 870 million kilometers) from the sun

* 5 large moons (satellites) and 10 small moons (satellites)

* Uranus rotates in a different way than the other planets. It tilts over on its side.

* A year on Uranus is 84 Earth-years long.

* One day is 17 Earth-hours long.

* Uranus, too, is a giant gas ball with a rocky center.

* Has some rings and the rings are thin and dark.

* Uranus looks blue-green and has a thick haze that covers the planet.

* Uranus is so far from the sun that it is very, very cold.

* Can sometimes be seen with the naked eye

* Known as “Neptune’s Twin” and the Greek deity of the Heavens

Neptune

* Neptune is the eight planet in order from the Sun.

* 2 billion, 794 million miles (4 billion, 497 million kilometers) from the sun

* Has at least 8 moons (satellites)

* Neptune has high winds and many storms and sometimes these storms show up as dark spots.

* A year on Neptune is 165 Earth-years long.

* One day is about 16 Earth-hours long.

* Neptune is a large blue-green ball of gas with a center rock and iron. The planet is covered with clouds. Neptune has faint rings. Because Neptune is so far from the sun, it is very, very cold.

* Known as the “Blue Planet” and the Roman God of the Sea

Pluto & Pluto’s Moon Charon

* Is the ninth planet in order from the Sun.

* 3 billion, 666 million miles (5 billion, 900 million kilometers) from the sun

* Has 1 moon (satellite)

* Pluto is the smallest planet. It is smaller than the Earth’s moon. It is also the coldest spot in the solar system.

* Pluto’s orbit travels around the sun in a different path than the other planets.

* A year on Pluto is 247 Earth-years long.

* One day is 6 Earth-days long.

* Sometimes known as the double-planet because it has a (Charon) moon that orbits it.

* Known as the “Ice Planet” and Roman god of the underworld in Roman mythology

Which Is The Last Planet? For most of its orbit, Pluto is the last known planet

from the sun. Every 228 years, Pluto’s orbit moves inside Neptune’s orbit. When this happens Pluto is closer to the sun than Neptune. This last about 20 Earth-years. Then Pluto moves back outside Neptune’s orbit and becomes the farthest planet again.

Comets Comets are big chunks of ice, rock and gas. They are dirty snowballs of leftovers from the beginning of our solar system. Comets get their name from the Greek word "kometes" (long hair) - a reference to their tails.

Comets are mysterious. Scientists think they might be able to tell us about the origins of our solar system.

Comets orbit the Sun like planets. Most comets orbit way out beyond the orbit of Pluto. It can take a comet hundreds or even millions of years to go once around the Sun. On Earth, it only takes 365 days. Most come from a super distant ring of debris around our solar system called the Oort Cloud.

A few comets close enough for us to see from Earth. They probably come from an area around Pluto called the Kuiper Belt. When Earth passes through the tail of a comet, we see a meteor shower.

http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/solar_system_level1/comets.html

Halley’s Comet

Fun Space Activities

Planet Order MercuryVenus EarthMars

JupiterSaturnUranus

NeptunePluto

Hint to Remember: My Very Earthly Mother Just Sent Us Nine

Pizzas.

Home, Home On The Solar System

(Sung to the tune of Home, Home on the Range)Oh give me a home, where the planets

roam, When the comets and asteroids play,

Where seldom is seen,A human being,

And the stars twinkle all night and all day,

Home, home in the solar system,Where the comets and the asteroids play,Where seldom is seen, a human being - - And the stars twinkle all night and all day.

The Planets Go Spinning Sing to the tune of When Johnny Comes Marching Home

The planets revolve around the sun,Hooray, hooray

The planets revolve around the sun,Hooray, hooray

The planets revolve around the sunAnd spin on the axis, everyone

And they go spinning, Around and around they go!

Mercury, Venus, Earth, and MarsHooray, hooray.

Mercury, Venus, Earth and MarsHooray, hooray

Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars,All whirling and twirling around the stars.

And they all go spinning,Around and around they go!

Jupiter and Saturn are next in line,Hooray, hooray!

Jupiter and Saturn are next in line,Hooray, hooray!

Jupiter and Saturn are next in line,Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto make nine.

And they all go spinning, Around and around they go!

I wish I could fly high in the universe,And see what the earth looks like from above,

And be close to the planets and stars,Maybe even to touch them and walk upon

Mars.

Planet Roll CallNine planets around the sun,

Listen as I call each one:Mercury? Here! Number one,

Closest planet to the sun.Venus? Here! Number two,

Shinning bright, just like new!Earth? Here! Number three,

Earth is home to you and me,Mars? Here! Number four,Red and ready to explore!

Jupiter? Here! Number five,Largest planet, that’s no jive!

Saturn? Here! Number six,With rings of dust and ice that mix.

Uranus? Here! Number seven,A planet tilted high in heaven.

Neptune! Number eight,With one dark spot whose size is great.

Pluto? Here! Number nine,The smallest and the last in line!

Spaceman and Rocket• Make a rectangle for his body. The rectangle

should be 2 INCHES wide and 2 ½ INCHES long.• Draw his arms. The arms should be a smaller

rectangle that is 5 CM long or 2 ½ INCHES long.• Draw gloves. The gloves cannot be longer than

3 CM or 1 ½ INCHES.• Your spaceman’s legs should be rectangles that

are 8 CM long or 4 INCHES long and ½ wide.• Draw boots or shoes for your spaceman. The

shoes should be an INCH long. • Draw a rectangle as a belt – make it 1 CM wide.• Your face should be no more than 2 INCHES

wide• Draw a rocket for your spaceman. Your rocket

can be designed as you want, but it must be 9 INCHES tall.

• Color your rocket/design it and decorate your spaceman.

• Write your name on the back of the rocket and spaceman!

Worksheets Name ___________________________Date ____________________________

The Sun Directions: Fill in the blank using the appropriate word from the word bank below. Each word may only be used once.

sun important hydrogen bigger star 1.3 million sun flares centersmaller Earth oxygen

•The sun is a ______________________________________.•The sun is the __________________________ of our Solar System.•If the sun were hollow it could hold _____________________ Earths. •The sun is nearly 600 times _________________ than all the planets in the Solar System put together. •__________________________________ is the sun’s fuel. •Sometimes giant storms called _____________________ erupt on the surface.•Our weather and climate depend on the _______________________.•The sun is ____________________________ to life here on Earth.

Name ___________________________ Solar System Date ____________________________

Mercury

Directions: Fill in the blank using the appropriate word from the word bank below.

iron Mercury Roman God 88first second 30 Caloris Basin lead craters biggest space

1. Mercury has a rock surface that is covered with ________________.2. Mercury has an _____________________ core, or center. 3. _________________________ is the closest planet to the sun. It is only __________________________ million miles away from the sun. 4. Mercury is the ____________________________ smallest planet, with Pluto being the smallest.5. Mercury travels around the sun every ___________________ days. Therefore Mercury’s year is only _________________ days long. 6. The largest crater on Mercy is _______________________ _________________. (Hint: 2 words) 7. Mercury was names after a ___________________________ ______________ who carried messages to other gods. (Hint: 2 words)

Name ___________________________ Solar System Date ____________________________

Venus

Directions: Fill in the blank using the appropriate word from the word bank below.

second evening star brother manylove first no skyLittle Star 243 brightest

beauty900 sister

1. Venus is the second _________________________ object in the sky.2. Venus has ____________________ moons.3. Venus is sometimes called Earth’s ______________________ planet. 4. The Romans named the dazzling white planet after their goddess of ______________________ and ____________________.5. One day on Venus is equal to __________________ Earth days.6. The temperature on Venus can reach _________________ degrees both day and night.7. Venus is the ________________________ planet from the sun. 8. Venus is sometimes called the “__________________________.”

Name ___________________________ Solar System Date ____________________________

Earth

Directions: Fill in the blank using the appropriate word from the word bank below.

1. The Earth has an imaginary line that circles the entire surface called the ________________________.2. Earth is the only planet that supports _______________ because it has a watery surface.3. The Earth has ____________ layers. They are the ________________.4. An Earth year is _____________________ days. 5. An Earth day is _______________________ hours.6. The Earth’s movement around the sun causes the __________________.7. The Earth travels around the sun at the speed of _______________ miles per hour. 8. Nearly _________________ percent of the Earth’s surface is water.9. Some people call Earth ___________ ______________ because of all the water. (Hint: 2 words) 10. Nearly all the water on Earth is salty ___________________ water.

24 ocean three equator core weatherseasons 365 mantle 67,000 Planet Ocean70 crust life 99 lake

Test(s)

Solar system Lunar eclipse Revolution

Solar eclipse Orbit

Phases star constellation comet axis

Name ___________________________ Solar System Vocabulary Quiz Date ____________________________

Vocabulary Quiz Directions: Fill in the blank using the appropriate word from the word bank below.

1._____________________ movement of one object around another. 2._____________________ path an object takes around another object.3._____________________ result of the moon’s shadow falling on Earth.4._____________________ sun and objects that orbit around the sun.5._____________________ result of Earth’s shadow falling on the moon.

1._____________________ group of stars that form a pattern.2._____________________ large ball of ice and dust that orbits the sun.3._____________________ hot ball of glowing gases. _____________________ 4. imaginary line that goes through the North Pole and South Pole.5. _____________________ different shapes the moon seems to have.

1. ____________________ large body of rock or gas that orbits the sun.2. _____________________ chunk or rock or metal that orbits the sun.3. _____________________ spinning of an object on its axis. 4. _____________________ instrument that makes things that are far away look clearer and bigger.

What is the sentence that helps you remember the planet order?

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Name the planets in order:

1) ___Sun___________ 2) ________________ 3) ________________4) ________________ 5) ________________ 6) ________________

7) ________________ 8) ________________ 9) ________________

10) ________________

Asteroid rotation planet telescope

Fun Websites to Visit

• http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/StarChild.html

• http://www.kidsastronomy.com/solar_system.htm

• http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/kids/index.cfm

• http://www.frontiernet.net/~kidpower/astronomy.html

• http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/our_solar_system/solar_system.html&edu=elem

• http://kids.msfc.nasa.gov/SolarSystem/

References

Enchanted Learning (2005). Phases of the Moon.

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/moon/Phases.shtml

NASA (2005). Images for the classroom: Solar System,

http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/en/educators/teachers_ss_images.shtml

Songs!!!

• "HOME, HOME ON THE SOLAR SYSTEM"(SUNG TO THE TUNE OF HOME HOME ON THE RANGE)Oh give me a home, where the planets roam,where the comets and the asteroids play,Where seldom is seen,a human being,and the stars twinkle all night and all day.

• Home, home in the solar system,where comets and the asteroids play,where seldom is seen, a human being-and the stars twinkle all night and all day.

Space Action Songsung to London Bridge The planets spin around the sun,Around the sun, Around the sun.The planets spin around the sun,We live on earth! The sun is found in the middle,In the middle, In the middle.The sun is found in the middle,It keeps us warm! The stars are twinkling far away,Far away, far away.the stars are twinkling far away,Now make a wish!