Classifying the Solar System

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2 Classifying the Solar System Introduction Scientists classify planets in many different ways. Today you work for NASA and will use information you gather from the Solar System Data Sheet and other references to make decisions on how you will classify the planets. The Task Classify each of the eight planets using these criteria: Its orbit in relation to Earth Inferior (between Earth & Sun) Superior (farther away from the Sun than the Earth). The make-up of its surface Rocky (Terrestrial) Gas (Jovian) Its size or diameter Giant (larger than Earth) Small (smaller than Earth). Its ability to be seen by our eyes Classical (planet that can be seen without a telescope) Modern (planets than cannot be seen without a telescope) 2. Identify and describe dwarf planets. 3. Describe a comet, asteroid, meteor, and the Kuiper Belt. 1

3 The following planets are considered a. Inferior Planets 2. b. Superior Planets The following planets are a. Rocky (Terrestrial) Planets b. Gas (Jovian) Planets

4 4. 3. The following planets are a. Giant Planets (larger than Earth) b. Small Planets (smaller than Earth) The following planets are a. Classical Planets (planet that can be seen without a telescope) b. Modern Planets (planets than cannot be seen without a telescope) 3

5 2. 5. List and describe the dwarf planets. a. b. c. d. e. 6. Describe the following and identify either where they are found. a. Comet 4

6 b. Asteroid c. Meteor d. Kuiper Belt History of Saturn Discovery (modified from Cassini Educators Guide) Procedure Look at the group of the History of Discovery Cards. Make sure you understand the information on the cards. 2. Complete the timeline based on the information from the cards. 5

7 After You Have Completed #2 - Final Choices for This Assignment Select and answer one (1) of the following. (Your response must be complete, neatly written, and fully cover the topic. A sentence or two will not adequately answer the question): Compose a letter to Galileo explaining how scientific understanding of Saturn has changed since the time of his observations. Address questions like: What news would be most exciting to share with Galileo? What advances have been made in technology? What additional discoveries were made due to these advances? What do we hope to learn by the year 2010, after the Cassini spacecraft has toured the Saturn system? Explain the different categories of technologies that have been used to explore Saturn. Explain why we use spacecraft to explore Saturn. What is the advantage of having Cassini orbit Saturn vs. having Pioneer 11 and the Voyagers fly-by the Saturn? 6

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10 Final Part of the Assignment After you have selected your topic, write your information here. 9

11 Solar System Scavenger Hunt (Picture from Using Kids Discover Solar System magazine, complete the list below. Answers can be found in paragraphs, tables, and the captions for photographs. The means you will have to read the magazine very carefully to find answers. Good Luck! A very big system of stars. 2. A ball of ice, dust, rocks, and gas a few miles across. 3. Orbits a planet. Earth has one. 4. Third planet from the Sun. 5. Is not the hottest planet even though it s closest to the Sun. 6. Spacecraft that found a 4,200 mile channel on Venus. 7. These planets are spinning balls of rock. 8. After Earth, this is the most likely planet to have life. 9. A hole produced by the fall of a meteorite. 10. Hurricane-force dust storms whip around this planet. 1 The surface of the second planet from the Sun is so hot it will melt lead. 10

12 12. These are mostly atmosphere with very, very tiny cores. 13. These planets are big, swirling clouds of gas. 14. Of all the planets that have rings, this planet s rings are the most stunning. 15. The eighth planet from the Sun. 16. Planet tilted on its side. 17. Was the ninth planet. Is now a dwarf planet. 18. Its orbit is long and skinny. 19. Forms on comets only when it is close to the sun. 20. Left by a comet as it travels through space. Burns up in the atmosphere becoming a meteor. 2 Space probe that discovered a moon (Dactyl) orbiting an asteroid (Ida). Select and answer one of the following (Your response must be complete, neatly written, and fully cover the topic. A sentence or two will not adequately answer the question): The quote on page 10 describes the solar system as a cosmic ballet. Why do you think the writer compared the solar system to a ballet? Do you agree with the comparison? Why? What else could you compare to the solar system? How would you describe the night sky to someone who has never seen it? _ 11

13 _ Solar System Cinquain A cinquain is a five-line poem. It follows this pattern: Line 1: One word subject of the poem Line 2: Two words describe subject Line 3: Three action ing words - describe something your does Line 4: Phrase that describes something about your subject Line 5: One or two words renames what your poem is about (a synonym) Your assignment is to write eight cinquain poems. The eight must include: One cinquain about comets. One cinquain about asteroids. One cinquain about a space probe studying a planet. Select one of the following probes: 12

14 Mars Rovers Spirit and Opportunity Dawn MESSENGER Cassini New Horizons One cinquain about a telescope. Four cinquains about four different planets. Here is your opportunity to use your creativity. Have fun doing this assignment. Examples Mercury Inner, little Freezing, melting, rotating Is the smallest planet Planet Neptune Far, blue Blowing, chilling, intriguing Farthest planet from Sun Gas Giant Dawn Vesta, Ceres Exploring, traveling, seeking Exploring the asteroids Space Probe Write Your Solar System Cinquains Below 13

15 Write Your Solar System Cinquains Below 14