Exploring The Planets: Earth

Size: px
Start display at page:

Download "Exploring The Planets: Earth"

Transcription

1 Exploring The Planets: Earth By Encyclopaedia Britannica, adapted by Newsela staff on Word Count 632 Level MAX An image of Earth, created by the Suomi NFP Satellite. This photo is created from data collected by the satellite. It took four orbits around Earth! Photo from: NASA. Earth, our home planet, is the third planet from the sun. Earth travels around the sun at an average distance of about 93 million miles. It appears bright and bluish when seen from outer space. Earth has one natural satellite, called the moon, which orbits Earth at a distance of about 239,000 miles. Earth is the only planet in the solar system that can support life. Life is possible on Earth because the planet has water on its surface and oxygen gas in its air. Earth also has the ideal range of temperatures for life -- unlike Venus, it is not too hot, and unlike Neptune, it is not too cold. The average temperature on Earth is about 59 degrees Fahrenheit. This article is available at 5 reading levels at 1

2 Physical Features Earth, the fifth largest planet in the solar system, is made up of three layers: the core, the mantle and the crust. The core, or center of the planet, is about 4,300 miles across and is very hot. The mantle, which covers the core, is about 1,800 miles thick. The crust, Earth s thin, rocky outer layer, is approximately 19 miles thick at its thickest point. Plants, animals and people inhabit the crust. Land covers about 30 percent of Earth s surface and is divided into seven huge pieces, called continents. These continents are Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America. This article is available at 5 reading levels at 2

3 Water covers about 70 percent of Earth s surface in the form of oceans, rivers, lakes and groundwater. The four major water bodies on Earth are the Arctic, Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. These oceans surround the continents. Some water on Earth is frozen. For example, there are large ice sheets in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. The layer of gases surrounding Earth is called the atmosphere. This is the air that living things breathe. Earth s atmosphere goes up to a few hundred miles above the surface, getting thinner as it gets farther from the surface. It contains mostly water vapor and the gases nitrogen (77 percent) and oxygen (21 percent). Orbit And Spin Like all planets, Earth has two types of motion: orbit and spin. Its orbit is the path it takes around the sun. One full trip around the sun takes Earth days, which is equal to one calendar year. Earth also spins, or rotates around its axis. The axis is an imaginary line that runs through Earth s center from the North Pole to the South Pole. Earth completes one rotation in 24 hours, which is equal to one day. This article is available at 5 reading levels at 3

4 Earth Through Time Scientists theorize that Earth is about 4.6 billion years old. Earth s surface has changed greatly since it was first formed. Some changes have taken place over millions of years as wind and water have eroded, or worn away, the land. Erosion has created features such as the Grand Canyon. Other changes have happened very quickly. The force of an erupting volcano or an earthquake can change the surrounding land in just hours. The scientists who study these changes are called geologists. They have divided Earth s history into time periods called eons and eras. They use these periods to explain how and when changes on Earth took place. For instance, geologists have found that the Atlantic Ocean was formed during the Mesozoic era, a division of the Phanerozoic eon. This article is available at 5 reading levels at 4

5 Quiz 1 Which sentence from the section Orbit And Spin supports the idea that we use Earth s motion to determine a measurement of time? Like all planets, Earth has two types of motion: orbit and spin. One full trip around the sun takes Earth days, which is equal to one calendar year. Earth also spins, or rotates around its axis. The axis is an imaginary line that runs through Earth s center from the North Pole to the South Pole. 2 Which sentence from the article supports the idea that NOT all changes to the earth happen quickly? Earth travels around the sun at an average distance of about 93 million miles. Earth completes one rotation in 24 hours, which is equal to one day. Some changes have taken place over millions of years as wind and water have eroded, or worn away, the land. They use these periods to explain how and when changes on Earth took place. 3 Which sentence from the article would be MOST important to include in a summary of the article? Earth, the fifth largest planet in the solar system, is made up of three layers: the core, the mantle and the crust. The crust, Earth s thin, rocky outer layer, is about 19 miles thick at its thickest point. For example, there are large ice sheets in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Earth s atmosphere goes up to a few hundred miles above the surface, getting thinner as it gets farther from the surface. This article is available at 5 reading levels at 5

6 4 Read the following detail from the article. Life is possible on Earth because the planet has water on its surface and oxygen gas in its air. Earth also has the perfect range of temperatures for life unlike Venus, it is not too hot, and unlike Neptune, it is not too cold. The average temperature on Earth is about 59 degrees Fahrenheit. How does this detail develop the central idea of the article? It explains why the most important thing for life on Earth is water. It illustrates how other planets have the wrong type of air for life. It highlights the exact temperature needed to support life on Earth. It describes characteristics of Earth that make life on it possible. This article is available at 5 reading levels at 6

Exploring The Planets: Jupiter

Exploring The Planets: Jupiter Exploring The Planets: Jupiter By Encyclopaedia Britannica, adapted by Newsela staff on 08.28.17 Word Count 691 Level 800L New Horizons spacecraft took this collection of images of Jupiter and Io in 2007.

More information

Plate tectonics: Earth's continents do not stay still

Plate tectonics: Earth's continents do not stay still Plate tectonics: Earth's continents do not stay still By Phillip Heron, The Conversation, adapted by Newsela staff on 12.01.17 Word Count 902 Level 800L A sign marking where the San Andreas fault line

More information

Chapter 1 Section 2. Land, Water, and Climate

Chapter 1 Section 2. Land, Water, and Climate Chapter 1 Section 2 Land, Water, and Climate Vocabulary 1. Landforms- natural features of the Earth s land surface 2. Elevation- height above sea level 3. Relief- changes in height 4. Core- most inner

More information

Tuesday, September 05, 2017 Planet Earth

Tuesday, September 05, 2017 Planet Earth Tuesday, September 05, 2017 Planet Earth Objective: Describe the solar system and Earth s location in it. Identify Earth s shape. Discuss Earth s structure. List Earth s landforms Do Now: What is a compass

More information

The structure of the Earth and how its motion creates the seasons. The landforms of the earth and the forces that shape the land.

The structure of the Earth and how its motion creates the seasons. The landforms of the earth and the forces that shape the land. The structure of the Earth and how its motion creates the seasons. The landforms of the earth and the forces that shape the land. The role of wind and water in creating climate. The different climate and

More information

Chapter 2: Physical Geography

Chapter 2: Physical Geography Chapter 2: Physical Geography Pg. 39-68 Learning Goals for Chp2: q q q q q Explain how the Earth moves in space and why seasons change. Outline the factors that influence climate and recognize different

More information

Introducing Planet Earth

Introducing Planet Earth Introducing Planet Earth Reading A Z Level L Levelled Book Word Count: 511 LEVELLED BOOK L Introducing Planet Earth Visit www.readinga-z.com for thousands of books and materials. Written by Celeste Fraser

More information

Exploring The Planets: Mercury

Exploring The Planets: Mercury Exploring The Planets: Mercury By NASA.gov, adapted by Newsela staff on 02.28.17 Word Count 861 Level MAX The planet Mercury, the nearest planet to the sun, as seen from the spacecraft Mariner 10. Photo

More information

Chapter 2 Planet Earth

Chapter 2 Planet Earth Chapter 2 Planet Earth Section Notes Earth and the Sun s Energy Water on Earth The Land Close-up The Water Cycle World Almanac Major Eruptions in the Ring of Fire Quick Facts Chapter 2 Visual Summary Video

More information

Plate tectonics: Earth's continents and oceans are on the move

Plate tectonics: Earth's continents and oceans are on the move Plate tectonics: Earth's continents and oceans are on the move By Phillip Heron, The Conversation, adapted by Newsela staff on 12.01.17 Word Count 1,075 Level 950L A sign marking where the San Andreas

More information

An eclipse is when light from a moon or sun gets blocked. People can see two kinds of eclipses from Earth.

An eclipse is when light from a moon or sun gets blocked. People can see two kinds of eclipses from Earth. What is an eclipse? By NASA, adapted by Newsela staff on 07.17.17 Word Count 584 Level 570L This image of the moon crossing in front of the sun was captured on January 30, 2014, by NASA's Solar Dynamics

More information

Chapter 2, Section 1 Planet Earth

Chapter 2, Section 1 Planet Earth Chapter 2, Section 1 Planet Earth (Pages 33 36) Setting a Purpose for Reading Think about these questions as you read: Where is Earth located in our solar system? How is Earth shaped? What is Earth s structure?

More information

Slow and Steady By ReadWorks

Slow and Steady By ReadWorks By ReadWorks How did all the amazing things on our planet form? How did magnificent mountain ranges rise up in one place and beautiful beaches form elsewhere? Why do some places experience earthquakes

More information

Unit 2 Lesson 1 What Objects Are Part of the Solar System? Copyright Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

Unit 2 Lesson 1 What Objects Are Part of the Solar System? Copyright Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Unit 2 Lesson 1 What Objects Are Part of the Solar System? Florida Benchmarks SC.5.E.5.2 Recognize the major common characteristics of all planets and compare/contrast the properties of inner and outer

More information

SU230R Grades 4-8. Hayes FAST FACTS & DAZZLING DATA OUR SOLAR SYSTEM

SU230R Grades 4-8. Hayes FAST FACTS & DAZZLING DATA OUR SOLAR SYSTEM Hayes SU230R Grades 4-8 FAST FACTS & DAZZLING DATA OUR SOLAR SYSTEM Fast Facts & Dazzling Data Our Solar System This book was developed for Hayes School Publishing Co., Inc. by Good Neighbor Press, Inc.,

More information

1. In the block diagram shown here, which is the oldest rock unit?

1. In the block diagram shown here, which is the oldest rock unit? Pre/Post GCI Name (print) 1. In the block diagram shown here, which is the oldest rock unit? 2. Referring to the same diagram as the previous question, which of the labeled rock units is the youngest?

More information

Major Domain of the Earth

Major Domain of the Earth Major Domain of the Earth The surface of the earth is a complex zone in which three main components of the environment meet, overlap and interact. The solid portion of the earth on which we live is called

More information

Inside Planet Earth: Surface to Center

Inside Planet Earth: Surface to Center Inside Planet Earth: Surface to Center Section 1: Introduction 1. What percentage of the Earth cannot be accessed by humans? 99% 2. True or False: It would be easier to invent something to travel to the

More information

Pangaea to the Present Lesson #2

Pangaea to the Present Lesson #2 Pangaea to the Present Lesson #2 The Earth is a dynamic or constantly changing planet. The thin, fragile plates slide very slowly on the mantle's upper layer. This sliding of the plates is caused by the

More information

Visit us at...

Visit us at... Thanks for your purchase. We hope you are pleased. We think you might like the website that we are working on. You will find websites that go along with your unit and word wall cards. We hope you enjoy.

More information

The Inner Planets. Chapter 3 Lesson 1. Pages Workbook pages 51-52

The Inner Planets. Chapter 3 Lesson 1. Pages Workbook pages 51-52 The Inner Planets Chapter 3 Lesson 1 Pages 152-159 Workbook pages 51-52 Create the Foldable on pg 159 The solar The planets system The four inner planets Compare and Contrast Question What are planets?

More information

Unit 12 Lesson 1 What Objects Are Part of the Solar System?

Unit 12 Lesson 1 What Objects Are Part of the Solar System? Unit 12 Lesson 1 What Objects Are Part of the Solar System? The Solar System Earth, other planets, and the moon are part of a solar system. A solar system is made up of a star and the planets and other

More information

The Dynamic Earth Section 1. Chapter 3 The Dynamic Earth Section 1: The Geosphere DAY 1

The Dynamic Earth Section 1. Chapter 3 The Dynamic Earth Section 1: The Geosphere DAY 1 Chapter 3 The Dynamic Earth Section 1: The Geosphere DAY 1 The Earth as a System The Earth is an integrated system that consists of rock, air, water, and living things that all interact with each other.

More information

The Outer Planets. Video Script: The Outer Planets. Visual Learning Company

The Outer Planets. Video Script: The Outer Planets. Visual Learning Company 11 Video Script: 1. For thousands of years people have looked up at the night sky pondering the limits of our solar system. 2. Perhaps you too, have looked up at the evening stars and planets, and wondered

More information

Our Planet Earth. Earth Systems

Our Planet Earth. Earth Systems Our Planet Earth Earth Systems What do you think? Read the three statements below and decide whether you agree or disagree with them. Place an A in the Before column if you agree with the statement or

More information

Earth, the Lively* Planet. * not counting the life on the planet!

Earth, the Lively* Planet. * not counting the life on the planet! Earth, the Lively* Planet * not counting the life on the planet! What We Will Learn Today What are planet Earth s features? What processes shape planetary surfaces? How does Earth s surface move? How did

More information

Section 1: The Geosphere

Section 1: The Geosphere Section 1: The Geosphere Preview Classroom Catalyst Objectives The Earth as a System Discovering Earth s Interior The Composition of the Earth The Structure of the Earth Plate Tectonics Section 1: The

More information

Chapter 2 Geography. Getting to know Earth

Chapter 2 Geography. Getting to know Earth Chapter 2 Geography Getting to know Earth Our Solar System Sun is at the center of our solar system Contains a lot of Mass» Mass gives the Sun gravitational pull» This keeps the planets in our solar system

More information

What is a supernova? They Outshine Their Entire Galaxy. By NASA, adapted by Newsela staff on Word Count 675 Level 840L

What is a supernova? They Outshine Their Entire Galaxy. By NASA, adapted by Newsela staff on Word Count 675 Level 840L What is a supernova? By NASA, adapted by Newsela staff on 03.28.17 Word Count 675 Level 840L TOP: A vivid view of a supernova remnant captured by NASA's Spitzer and Chandra space observatories and the

More information

The Solar System LEARNING TARGETS. Scientific Language. Name Test Date Hour

The Solar System LEARNING TARGETS. Scientific Language. Name Test Date Hour Name Test Date Hour Astronomy#3 - Notebook The Solar System LEARNING TARGETS I can describe the objects that make up our solar system. I can identify the inner and outer planets. I can explain the difference

More information

UGRC 144 Science and Technology in Our Lives/Geohazards

UGRC 144 Science and Technology in Our Lives/Geohazards UGRC 144 Science and Technology in Our Lives/Geohazards Session 2 THE EARTH Lecturer: Dr. Patrick Asamoah Sakyi Department of Earth Science, UG Contact Information: pasakyi@ug.edu.gh College of Education

More information

A View of Earth. Luc Ikelle 2012

A View of Earth. Luc Ikelle 2012 A View of Earth Luc Ikelle 2012 A View of Earth (Apollo 17) Dry lands (deserts) oceans Wetter climate Ocean and atmosphere Antarctica: Glacial ice Earth s spheres (1) The most dynamic portion of Earth

More information

Earth s History. The principle of states that geologic processes that happened in the past can be explained by current geologic processes.

Earth s History. The principle of states that geologic processes that happened in the past can be explained by current geologic processes. Earth s History Date: Been There, Done That What is the principle of uniformitarianism? The principle of states that geologic processes that happened in the past can be explained by current geologic processes.

More information

netw rks Guided Reading Activity Essential Question: How does geography influence the way people live? Earth's Physical Geography

netw rks Guided Reading Activity Essential Question: How does geography influence the way people live? Earth's Physical Geography Guided Reading Activity Lesson 1 Earth and the Sun Essential Question: How does geography influence the way people live? Looking at Earth Directions: What are the layers that make up Earth? Use your textbook

More information

For Creative Minds. And the Winner is...

For Creative Minds. And the Winner is... For Creative Minds The For Creative Minds educational section may be photocopied or printed from our website by the owner of this book for educational, non-commercial uses. Cross-curricular teaching activities,

More information

Question #1: What are some ways that you think the climate may have changed in the area where you live over the past million years?

Question #1: What are some ways that you think the climate may have changed in the area where you live over the past million years? Reading 5.2 Environmental Change Think about the area where you live. You may see changes in the landscape in that area over a year. Some of those changes are weather related. Others are due to how the

More information

The Solar System. Name Test Date Hour

The Solar System. Name Test Date Hour Name Test Date Hour Astronomy#3 - Notebook The Solar System LEARNING TARGETS I can describe the objects that make up our solar system. I can identify the inner and outer planets. I can explain the difference

More information

GEOGRAPHY. Map Skills. Mrs. Pere ~ 2013

GEOGRAPHY. Map Skills. Mrs. Pere ~ 2013 GEOGRAPHY Map Skills Mrs. Pere ~ 2013 WHAT IS A GLOBE? A globe is a model of the Earth. North Pole Equator South Pole WHAT IS A MAP? A map is a flat drawing of a place. THE IMPORTANT PARTS OF A MAP 1.

More information

Conceptual Understandings for K-2 Teachers

Conceptual Understandings for K-2 Teachers AFK12SE/NGSS Strand Disciplinary Core Ideas ESS1: Earth s Place in the Universe What is the universe, and what is Earth s place in it? ESS1. A: The Universe and Its Stars What is the universe, and what

More information

Unit 6 Lesson 1 How Do the Sun, Earth, and Moon Interact? Copyright Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

Unit 6 Lesson 1 How Do the Sun, Earth, and Moon Interact? Copyright Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Unit 6 Lesson 1 How Do the Sun, Earth, and Moon Interact? Night and Day Earth rotates, or turns like a top. Earth s rotation causes day and night. Earth rotates around an imaginary line called an axis,

More information

1 Characteristics of the Atmosphere

1 Characteristics of the Atmosphere CHAPTER 15 1 Characteristics of the Atmosphere SECTION The Atmosphere BEFORE YOU READ After you read this section, you should be able to answer these questions: What is Earth s atmosphere made of? How

More information

Name Date Class. Use the diagram below to help you take notes as you read the summaries that follow. Think about the features that make up the earth.

Name Date Class. Use the diagram below to help you take notes as you read the summaries that follow. Think about the features that make up the earth. Chapter 2, Section 1 For use with textbook pages 33 36. Planet Earth Terms to Know hydrosphere The part of the earth made up of oceans, lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water (page 35) lithosphere The

More information

The surface of the ocean floor is as varied as the land. The five major oceans, from largest to smallest, are

The surface of the ocean floor is as varied as the land. The five major oceans, from largest to smallest, are 11.1 Ocean Basins The surface of the ocean floor is as varied as the land. The five major oceans, from largest to smallest, are w the Pacific w the Atlantic w the Indian w the Southern w the Arctic The

More information

5 Time Marches On. TAKE A LOOK 1. Identify What kinds of organisms formed the fossils in the picture?

5 Time Marches On. TAKE A LOOK 1. Identify What kinds of organisms formed the fossils in the picture? CHAPTER 6 5 Time Marches On SECTION The Rock and Fossil Record BEFORE YOU READ After you read this section, you should be able to answer these questions: How do geologists measure time? How has life changed

More information

1 Characteristics of the Atmosphere

1 Characteristics of the Atmosphere CHAPTER 1 1 Characteristics of the Atmosphere SECTION The Atmosphere BEFORE YOU READ After you read this section, you should be able to answer these questions: What is Earth s atmosphere made of? How do

More information

Earth Systems Overview

Earth Systems Overview Earth Systems Overview The Earth is a system consisting of four major interacting components known as spheres: the atmosphere, the biosphere, the hydrosphere, the cryosphere, and the geosphere Let s examine

More information

1 Characteristics of the Atmosphere

1 Characteristics of the Atmosphere CHAPTER 15 1 Characteristics of the Atmosphere SECTION The Atmosphere BEFORE YOU READ After you read this section, you should be able to answer these questions: What is Earth s atmosphere made of? How

More information

The peak and southern face of Mount Everest, the tallest mountain on the planet. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

The peak and southern face of Mount Everest, the tallest mountain on the planet. Photo: Wikimedia Commons. Landforms: Mountains By Encyclopaedia Britannica, adapted by Newsela staff on 10.10.17 Word Count 563 Level 800L The peak and southern face of Mount Everest, the tallest mountain on the planet. Photo:

More information

Unit 6 Lesson 4 What Are the Planets in Our Solar System? Copyright Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

Unit 6 Lesson 4 What Are the Planets in Our Solar System? Copyright Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Unit 6 Lesson 4 What Are the Planets in Our Solar System? What other objects are near Earth in this part of space? Earth and millions of other objects make up our solar system. In Our Corner of Space A

More information

Terrestrial Planets: The Earth as a Planet

Terrestrial Planets: The Earth as a Planet Terrestrial Planets: The Earth as a Planet In today s class, we want to look at those characteristics of the Earth that are also important in our understanding of the other terrestrial planets. This is

More information

The sun, yellow dwarf star at the heart of the solar system NASA.gov, adapted by Newsela staff

The sun, yellow dwarf star at the heart of the solar system NASA.gov, adapted by Newsela staff Name: Period: Date: Article of the Week Directions: Read the following article carefully and annotate. You need to include at least 1 annotation per paragraph. Be sure to include all of the following in

More information

Teacher Background. Impact! Down to Earth KS 3&4

Teacher Background. Impact! Down to Earth KS 3&4 Teacher Background Impact! Impact! - Teacher Background- 2 Meteorites What Are They, and Where Do They Come From? Meteorites are rocks from space that have passed through the atmosphere and landed on the

More information

Plate Tectonics Practice Test

Plate Tectonics Practice Test Plate Tectonics Practice Test 1. What is the main idea Alfred Wegner proposed in the Theory of Continental Drift that he published in 1915? a. The continents float on a liquid layer that allows them to

More information

Reading. 1 Read the extract from a book about the Solar System. Then complete the sentences with the words from the box. Earth.

Reading. 1 Read the extract from a book about the Solar System. Then complete the sentences with the words from the box. Earth. Reading 1 Read the extract from a book about the Solar System. Then complete the sentences with the words from the box. Earth The third planet from the Sun is Earth, our home. Earth does not get as hot

More information

Unit 1: Basics of Geography Test Review

Unit 1: Basics of Geography Test Review Name Date Period Unit 1: Basics of Geography Test Review Directions: Reading the following sections and complete the questions, charts, and diagrams. Types of Maps Maps that have a particular theme are

More information

The Earth, the sun, the planets and the twinkling stars in the sky are all part of a galaxy, or family of stars. We call our galaxy the Milky Way

The Earth, the sun, the planets and the twinkling stars in the sky are all part of a galaxy, or family of stars. We call our galaxy the Milky Way Part One The Earth, the sun, the planets and the twinkling stars in the sky are all part of a galaxy, or family of stars. We call our galaxy the Milky Way because the lights from its billions of stars

More information

1 Earth s Oceans. TAKE A LOOK 2. Identify What are the five main oceans?

1 Earth s Oceans. TAKE A LOOK 2. Identify What are the five main oceans? CHAPTER 13 1 Earth s Oceans SECTION Exploring the Oceans BEFORE YOU READ After you read this section, you should be able to answer these questions: What affects the salinity of ocean water? What affects

More information

A supernova is the explosion of a star. It is the largest explosion that takes place in space.

A supernova is the explosion of a star. It is the largest explosion that takes place in space. What is a supernova? By NASA, adapted by Newsela staff on 03.28.17 Word Count 974 Level 1110L TOP: A vivid view of a supernova remnant captured by NASA's Spitzer and Chandra space observatories and the

More information

SECOND GRADE 1 WEEK LESSON PLANS AND ACTIVITIES

SECOND GRADE 1 WEEK LESSON PLANS AND ACTIVITIES SECOND GRADE 1 WEEK LESSON PLANS AND ACTIVITIES UNIVERSE CYCLE OVERVIEW OF SECOND GRADE UNIVERSE WEEK 1. PRE: Discovering stars. LAB: Analyzing the geometric pattern of constellations. POST: Exploring

More information

? 1. How old is Earth and the Moon? Warm-Up 145. The Moon: Earth s Traveling Companion Name:

? 1. How old is Earth and the Moon? Warm-Up 145. The Moon: Earth s Traveling Companion Name: The Moon: Earth s Traveling Companion Warm-Up 145 What is the Moon? What is important about it? How did the Moon end up where it is? The Moon and Earth were formed at the same time. This happened about

More information

Distance of Mercury to the Sun or the Orbital Radius

Distance of Mercury to the Sun or the Orbital Radius Distance of Mercury to the Sun or the Orbital Radius The minimum distance from the Sun to Mercury is about 45866304 kilometers and the maximum distance is about 70006464 kilometers. Space Station One Day

More information

THE DISCOVERY OF A NEW CONTINENT ON PLANET EARTH: Zealandia

THE DISCOVERY OF A NEW CONTINENT ON PLANET EARTH: Zealandia THE DISCOVERY OF A NEW CONTINENT ON PLANET EARTH: Zealandia By Vashaanth Gowri-Kriszyk, Science Editor February 2017 Recently, in February 2017, scientists have discovered a new continent called Zealandia,

More information

Overview of the Solar System

Overview of the Solar System The Solar System Overview of the Solar System Basics Source: Nine Planets - A Multimedia Tour of the Solar System * By Bill Arnett The solar system consists of the Sun, the nine planets, about 90 satellites

More information

SCIENCE SAMPLER ~ Geology ~ Unit 4 of 5

SCIENCE SAMPLER ~ Geology ~ Unit 4 of 5 College Guild PO Box 6448, Brunswick ME 04011 SCIENCE SAMPLER ~ Geology ~ Unit 4 of 5 1 Over the past three units we have learned about the birth of the universe, the laws of nature, and the structure

More information

Developed in Consultation with Georgia Educators

Developed in Consultation with Georgia Educators Developed in Consultation with Georgia Educators Table of Contents Georgia Performance Standards Correlation Chart........... 7 Performance Standards Chapter 1 Earth and Space.............................

More information

Chapter 23: Touring Our Solar System

Chapter 23: Touring Our Solar System Chapter 23: Touring Our Solar System The Sun The is the center of our solar system. The Sun makes up of all the mass of our solar system. The Sun s force holds the planets in their orbits around the Sun.

More information

WHAT IS THE EARTH MADE OF? LITHOSPHERE AND HYDROSPHERE

WHAT IS THE EARTH MADE OF? LITHOSPHERE AND HYDROSPHERE UNIT 8 WHAT IS THE EARTH MADE OF? LITHOSPHERE AND HYDROSPHERE TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 THE STRUCTURE OF THE EARTH... 2 2 THE FORMATION OF THE RELIEF: INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL FORCES.... 2 2.1 Internal forces:

More information

Inner and Outer Planets

Inner and Outer Planets Inner and Outer Planets Inner Planets Terrestrial planets are those that are closest to the Sun. Terrestrial planets are made mostly of rock and have similar characteristics to Earth. There are four terrestrial

More information

CRITICAL THINKING ACTIVITY: INTERPRETING THE GOLDILOCKS EFFECT (1)

CRITICAL THINKING ACTIVITY: INTERPRETING THE GOLDILOCKS EFFECT (1) Student Sheet 1 CRITICAL THINKING ACTIVITY: INTERPRETING THE GOLDILOCKS EFFECT (1) The Goldilocks Effect is derived from a children's story "The Three Bears" in which a little girl named Goldilocks finds

More information

THE EARTH. Some animals and plants live in water. Many animals, plants and human beings live on land.

THE EARTH. Some animals and plants live in water. Many animals, plants and human beings live on land. THE EARTH The Earth is our planet. It is round and it looks blue from space. The Earth has everything that living beings need: air, water, and heat and light from the Sun. On our planet there is water,

More information

How geysers work. By How Stuff Works, adapted by Newsela staff on Word Count 810 Level 850L

How geysers work. By How Stuff Works, adapted by Newsela staff on Word Count 810 Level 850L How geysers work By How Stuff Works, adapted by Newsela staff on 05.06.18 Word Count 810 Level 850L Image 1. A view of Castle geyser, in the Upper Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park, in 2003. When

More information

Unit 3 Lesson 4 The Terrestrial Planets. Copyright Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

Unit 3 Lesson 4 The Terrestrial Planets. Copyright Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Florida Benchmarks SC.8.N.1.5 Analyze the methods used to develop a scientific explanation as seen in different fields of science. SC.8.E.5.3 Distinguish the hierarchical relationships between planets

More information

Planet Earth. Unit. Unit title page (Student s Book pg. 1) Previewing the unit (Student s Book pg. 2) Chapter 1: The Physical Earth

Planet Earth. Unit. Unit title page (Student s Book pg. 1) Previewing the unit (Student s Book pg. 2) Chapter 1: The Physical Earth Planet Earth Unit title page (Student s Book pg. 1) Ask students to look at the photograph and think about how they would describe our planet. Give them time to read the unit summary paragraph, and check

More information

Sample Test. 5. Which of the surfaces is the youngest? A) 1A B) 1B C) 1C D) 1D E) There is no way to tell.

Sample Test. 5. Which of the surfaces is the youngest? A) 1A B) 1B C) 1C D) 1D E) There is no way to tell. Sample Test 1. The yellow arrows in image 1B are pointing to a form of A) liquid erosion. B) plate tectonics. C) tidally cracked surface. D) wind erosion (sand dunes). E) All of the above. 2. If an object

More information

Unit 1: Geography. For additional information, refer to this website: 1 G e o g r a p h y

Unit 1: Geography. For additional information, refer to this website:  1 G e o g r a p h y Unit 1: Geography For additional information, refer to this website: http://mryoungtms.weebly.com/ 1 G e o g r a p h y Continents and Oceans SOL USI. 2a Essential Understanding: Continents are large land

More information

1. The Sun is a huge ball of very hot gas in space, which radiates heat and light in one direction.

1. The Sun is a huge ball of very hot gas in space, which radiates heat and light in one direction. PLEASE ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS ON THIS PROVIDED QUESTION PAPER. EACH QUESTION IS FOLLOWED BY ANSWERS MARKED A AND B, OR A, B, C AND D. ONLY ONE ANSWER IS CORRECT. CHOOSE THE MOST CORRECT ANSWER AND CIRCLE

More information

Space researchers hope to find the next "Earth" among 7 distant planets

Space researchers hope to find the next Earth among 7 distant planets Space researchers hope to find the next "Earth" among 7 distant planets By Washington Post, adapted by Newsela staff on 02.27.17 Word Count 719 An artist's conception of the view from the surface of the

More information

Lesson 2 The Inner Planets

Lesson 2 The Inner Planets Lesson 2 Student Labs and Activities Page Launch Lab 25 Content Vocabulary 26 Lesson Outline 27 MiniLab 29 Content Practice A 30 Content Practice B 31 School to Home 32 Key Concept Builders 33 Enrichment

More information

Inner and Outer Planets

Inner and Outer Planets Inner and Outer Planets SPI 0607.6.2 Explain how the relative distance of objects from the earth affects how they appear. Inner Planets Terrestrial planets are those that are closest to the Sun. Terrestrial

More information

Note-taking continued

Note-taking continued continued Lesson 1 Earth Systems LA6223, SC6E74, SC6N15, MA6A36 Skim or scan the heading, boldfaced words, and pictures in the lesson Identify or predict three facts you will learn from the lesson Discuss

More information

The Rocky Neighbors: The Inner Planets Word Splash. plates. oxygen

The Rocky Neighbors: The Inner Planets Word Splash. plates. oxygen 1 Word Splash Mercury Earth Rockies gravity craters planet atmosphere erosion plates wavelength rotates water axis oxygen surface orbiting volcano 2 Anticipation Guide Directions: Answer the following

More information

Changes over Time: Destructive Processes

Changes over Time: Destructive Processes 1 Name Date Changes over Time: Destructive Processes Earth s surface is always changing. Blowing wind and flowing water causes some changes. Moving rock deep inside Earth causes other changes. These processes

More information

I always wanted to be somebody, but I should have been more specific. Lilly Tomlin Reading has been updated. (All of Chaps. 9& 10) Friday, first sit

I always wanted to be somebody, but I should have been more specific. Lilly Tomlin Reading has been updated. (All of Chaps. 9& 10) Friday, first sit I always wanted to be somebody, but I should have been more specific. Lilly Tomlin Reading has been updated. (All of Chaps. 9& 10) Friday, first sit for passing back HW, then with chart. Water on the Moon?

More information

Biosphere. All living things, plants, animals, (even you!) are part of the zone of the earth called the biosphere.

Biosphere. All living things, plants, animals, (even you!) are part of the zone of the earth called the biosphere. Unit 1 Study Guide Earth s Spheres Biosphere All living things, plants, animals, (even you!) are part of the zone of the earth called the biosphere. Hydrosphere Water covers ¾ of the earth, made up mostly

More information

What is an eclipse? By NASA, adapted by Newsela staff on Word Count 786 Level 870L

What is an eclipse? By NASA, adapted by Newsela staff on Word Count 786 Level 870L What is an eclipse? By NASA, adapted by Newsela staff on 07.16.17 Word Count 786 Level 870L This image of the moon crossing in front of the sun was captured on January 30, 2014, by NASA's Solar Dynamics

More information

Object Type Moons Rings Planet Terrestrial none none. Max Distance from Sun. Min Distance from Sun. Avg. Distance from Sun 57,910,000 km 0.

Object Type Moons Rings Planet Terrestrial none none. Max Distance from Sun. Min Distance from Sun. Avg. Distance from Sun 57,910,000 km 0. Mercury Mercury is the closest planet to the sun. It is extremely hot on the side of the planet facing the sun and very cold on the other. There is no water on the surface. There is practically no atmosphere.

More information

TEACHER BACKGROUND INFORMATION

TEACHER BACKGROUND INFORMATION TEACHER BACKGROUND INFORMATION (The Universe) A. THE UNIVERSE: The universe encompasses all matter in existence. According to the Big Bang Theory, the universe was formed 10-20 billion years ago from a

More information

What makes a planet habitable?

What makes a planet habitable? What makes a planet habitable? By NASA.gov, adapted by Newsela staff on 01.26.17 Word Count 862 Level 1040L TOP: This artist's concept depicts Kepler-186f, the first proven Earth-sized planet to orbit

More information

Name Date Class. well as the inland, found near the Tropics. 4. In the, or the regions near the Equator, you may find a lush

Name Date Class. well as the inland, found near the Tropics. 4. In the, or the regions near the Equator, you may find a lush WATER, CLIMATE, AND VEGETATION Vocabulary Activity DIRECTIONS: Fill in the Blanks Select a term from below to complete each of the following sentences. CHAPTER 1. The constant movement of water, a process

More information

page - Lab 13 - Introduction to the Geology of the Terrestrial Planets

page - Lab 13 - Introduction to the Geology of the Terrestrial Planets page - Lab 13 - Introduction to the Geology of the Terrestrial Planets Introduction There are two main families of planets in our solar system: the inner Terrestrial planets (Earth, Mercury, Venus, and

More information

The Official CA State Science Education Standards for Earth Science K 8

The Official CA State Science Education Standards for Earth Science K 8 The Official CA State Science Education Standards for Earth Science K 8 Kindergarten The Earth is composed of land, air and water. As a basis for understanding this concept, students know: a. characteristics

More information

Geologists are scientists who study Earth. They want to

Geologists are scientists who study Earth. They want to What Is Inside Earth? Figure 1 Over time, the Grand Canyon in Arizona was carved out by the flowing water of the Colorado River. We can see that Earth s surface is constantly changing. But what is happening

More information

4 Changes in Climate. TAKE A LOOK 2. Explain Why is more land exposed during glacial periods than at other times?

4 Changes in Climate. TAKE A LOOK 2. Explain Why is more land exposed during glacial periods than at other times? Name Class CHAPTER 3 Date Climate 4 Changes in Climate SECTION National Science Education Standards BEFORE YOU READ After you read this section, you should be able to answer these questions: ES 1k, 2a

More information

What is an eclipse? Lunar Eclipses. By NASA, adapted by Newsela staff on Word Count 866 Level 940L

What is an eclipse? Lunar Eclipses. By NASA, adapted by Newsela staff on Word Count 866 Level 940L What is an eclipse? By NASA, adapted by Newsela staff on 07.17.17 Word Count 866 Level 940L This image of the moon crossing in front of the sun was captured on January 30, 2014, by NASA's Solar Dynamics

More information

Science 8 - Water Systems Test - Chapters 1-2

Science 8 - Water Systems Test - Chapters 1-2 Science 8 - Water Systems Test - Chapters 1-2 Multiple Choice (30 marks) Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question. 1. What percentage represents the amount of fresh

More information

Year 4 Geography Revision Pack Summer 2018 Name

Year 4 Geography Revision Pack Summer 2018 Name Year 4 Geography Revision Pack Summer 2018 Name Welcome to your geography revision pack for the upcoming Summer exams. Everything that we have been working on in lessons since Christmas will be covered

More information

The Scope of Earth Science

The Scope of Earth Science Earth science Earth Science The Scope of Earth Science The field of Earth Science can be broken into four major areas of specialization: astronomy, meteorology, geology, and oceanography. 1. Astronomy

More information

The full, blue supermoon is coming to the night sky near you

The full, blue supermoon is coming to the night sky near you The full, blue supermoon is coming to the night sky near you By Shannon Schmoll, The Conversation, adapted by Newsela staff on 01.30.18 Word Count 872 Level 980L Image 1. A picture of the moon. It shows

More information

3. The moon with the most substantial atmosphere in the Solar System is A) Iapetus B) Io C) Titan D) Triton E) Europa

3. The moon with the most substantial atmosphere in the Solar System is A) Iapetus B) Io C) Titan D) Triton E) Europa Spring 2013 Astronomy - Test 2 Test form A Name Do not forget to write your name and fill in the bubbles with your student number, and fill in test form A on the answer sheet. Write your name above as

More information

Bell Ringer. water cycle? gaseous water (water vapor)? How do you know? 1. What are the five components of the

Bell Ringer. water cycle? gaseous water (water vapor)? How do you know? 1. What are the five components of the Bell Ringer 1. What are the five components of the water cycle? 2. Are clouds composed of liquid water or gaseous water (water vapor)? How do you know? 3. How are glaciers formed? Salt Water - Oceans Characteristics

More information