Slide 1 / 104 Slide 2 / 104 5th Grade Earth and the Universe 2015-08-28 www.njctl.org Slide 3 / 104 Slide 4 / 104 Table of Contents Click on the topic to go to that section The Sun, Earth and Moon Observable Patterns The Sun, Earth and Moon Return to Table of Contents Slide 5 / 104 The Universe Slide 6 / 104 The Universe When you hear the word "universe", what images come to mind? What is included in the universe? The Universe includes living things, planets, stars, and galaxies.
A galaxy is a collection of stars, gas, and dust bound together by gravity. The Universe contains billions of galaxies, each containing millions or even billions of stars. Slide 7 / 104 Galaxies Slide 8 / 104 Types of Galaxies There are three main types of galaxies. Look at the shapes of the galaxies below. How would you categorize these galaxies? Click in the boxes to see their current names. Elliptical Irregular Spiral Slide 9 / 104 The Milky Way If you travel away from the big city lights and you look up into the night sky, you will see a bright band in the sky. The ancient Greeks saw this band and called it the milky circle. The Romans changed the name to "Via Lactea", the milky road, or as we now call it the "Milky Way." The Milky Way is our galaxy. Slide 10 / 104 The Milky Way The Milky Way is shaped like a huge whirlpool. Outside the main spiral are about 200 ball-shaped clusters of stars. We live in one of the arms of this large spiral galaxy. The Sun and its planets (including Earth) lie in this quiet part of the galaxy, about half way out from the center. Our Solar System is here. Slide 11 / 104 Hubble Ultra Deep Field Slide 12 / 104 1 The universe contains which of the following? How many other galaxies are out there? Turns out, more than we thought... A Planets B Stars C Galaxies D All of the above Click here watch a video about Hubble Ultra Deep Field.
Slide 12 () / 104 1 The universe contains which of the following? Slide 13 / 104 2 Which force holds a galaxy together? A Planets A Gravity B Stars C Galaxies D B Intertia C Magnetism D All of the above D None of the above [This object is a pull tab] Slide 13 () / 104 2 Which force holds a galaxy together? Slide 14 / 104 3 Who helped to name the Milky Way? A Gravity A Ancient Romans B Intertia C Magnetism D None of the above A B Ancient Greeks C Cavemen D Both A and B [This object is a pull tab] Slide 14 () / 104 3 Who helped to name the Milky Way? Slide 15 / 104 4 The Milky Way is the only galaxy. A Ancient Romans B Ancient Greeks C Cavemen D Both A and B D [This object is a pull tab]
Slide 15 () / 104 4 The Milky Way is the only galaxy. Slide 16 / 104 Galaxy Sorting Activity The universe contains many galaxies. What skills do scientists need to organize and describe objects that they are studying? Find out in this activity! [This object is a pull tab] Slide 17 / 104 Slide 18 / 104 Is there anything odd about this picture? Does this look more familiar? Slide 19 / 104 The Sun Slide 20 / 104 Our Sun - "Sol" Both pictures are correct! The sun is a star. Our Sun is not unique in the universe. It is a common, medium-sized yellow star which scientists have named Sol, after the ancient Roman name. This is why our system of planets is called the Solar System.
Slide 21 / 104 Our Sun - "Sol" There are many stars that are much bigger than the sun. If this is true, then why does the sun look like the biggest star in the sky? Write your thoughts below. Slide 22 / 104 Is the sun the biggest star? This is what stars look like in the sky. Note Slide 23 / 104 Slide 24 / 104 Here is the Sun in the sky. Street Lights It certainly looks bigger than all the other stars. Can we always trust what we see? Note These streetlights are all the same size. Use the ruler and measure them. From this perspective, do they look the same size? Explain. Think Much Bigger! Slide 25 / 104 3 Slide 26 / 104 The Sun Just as the street lights seemed to change size with distance, so do stars. These stars are all the same size. Which one is farthest away? 1 2 The sun appears so much larger and brighter than the other stars we usually see in the sky because we are so close to it. The sun is not the brightest star but it is the closest one to us. Sun
Slide 27 / 104 Slide 27 () / 104 5 The sun is 5 The sun is A a small yellow star. B a medium yellow star. C a large yellow star. A a small yellow star. B a medium yellow star. C a large yellow star. B [This object is a pull tab] Slide 28 / 104 6 Do same sized objects viewed from the same distance look the same size? Slide 28 () / 104 6 Do same sized objects viewed from the same distance look the same size? Yes Yes No No Yes Slide 29 / 104 7 Do same sized objects viewed from different distances appear different sizes? Slide 29 () / 104 7 Do same sized objects viewed from different distances appear different sizes? Yes Yes No No Yes
Slide 30 / 104 Luminosity Lab In this lab, collect data to support the idea that the sun shines brighter than other stars because of its proximity with Earth. Slide 31 / 104 Distance Distance is measured in a variety of units, depending on what is being measured. What would be an appropriate unit of measure for the examples below? (Think metric!) Distance from your fingers to your shoulder centimeters Distance from you to the front of the classroom Distance between your house and the grocery store meters kilometers Slide 32 / 104 Distance What would happen if you measured the distance between your house and the grocery store in centimeters? Slide 33 / 104 Distance The same idea holds true if we try to measure distance between objects in the universe using units of measure used here on Earth. The universe is a much larger entity so we must use a different unit of measure. This is a picture of the Milky Way as viewed from the mountains in West Virginia. Slide 34 / 104 Light-years We measure distances to the moon, planets and stars in light-years. A light-year is the distance that light can travel in 1 year. How far is that? In one year, light travels about 10 trillion km, or close to 6 trillion miles! Slide 34 () / 104 Light-years We measure distances to the moon, planets and stars in light-years. A light-year is the distance that light can travel in 1 year. Proxima Centauri looks bigger How far is that? In one year, light travels about 10 trillion km, or than the stars around it is the close to 6 trillion miles! closest star to us in this picture. The next nearest star to Earth is Proxima Centauri, about 4.2 light-years away. (Notice it looks larger and brighter than the stars around it. Why is that?) The next nearest star to Earth is Proxima Centauri, about 4.2 light-years away. (Notice it looks larger and brighter than the stars around it. Why is that?)
Slide 35 / 104 8 A light-year is a unit of time. Slide 35 () / 104 8 A light-year is a unit of time. Slide 36 / 104 9 This is a picture of the crab supernova. If the distance between the Earth and the crab supernova is 40,000 trillion km, how many light-years is this? (Remember: light can travel 10 trillion km in one year.) A 400,000 B 40,000 C 4,000 Slide 36 () / 104 9 This is a picture of the crab supernova. If the distance between the Earth and the crab supernova is 40,000 trillion km, how many light-years is this? (Remember: light can travel 10 trillion km in one year.) A 400,000 B 40,000 C 4,000 C D 400 D 400 Slide 37 / 104 Light Years Activity Use your math skills to complete some light-years calculations in this activity. Slide 38 / 104 Earth's Rotation The Earth rotates on its axis. The axis is an imaginary line from the North Pole to the South Pole. How many days does it take for Earth to complete a rotation? 1 Day
Slide 39 / 104 Earth's Revolution The path of the Earth around the Sun is called the orbit. The Earth revolves around the sun. Slide 40 / 104 Earth's Tilt What do you notice about the Earth in the illustration below? Sun Sun How many days does it take for the Earth to revolve around the sun? 365.25 days Earth is tilted on its axis as it revolves around the sun. Remember this as it contributes to an important observable pattern in the next section! Slide 41 / 104 The Earth and Moon The moon revolves around the Earth, about once per month. Slide 41 () / 104 The Earth and Moon The moon revolves around the Earth, about once per month. The Sun would be to the right of the photo. This picture, taken from space, shows the sun illuminating the Earth and moon. Where would the Sun be in this photo? Put this star where the Sun should be. This picture, taken from space, shows [This the object sun is a illuminating pull tab] the Earth and moon. Where would the Sun be in this photo? Put this star where the Sun should be. Slide 42 / 104 The Earth and Moon The moon also rotates. This rotation is very slow. One rotation takes the same amount of time as its revolution around the Earth. Because of this, the same side of the moon is facing the Earth at all times. Slide 43 / 104 10 The Earth rotates on its. A axis B axia C equator D orbit
Slide 43 () / 104 10 The Earth rotates on its. Slide 44 / 104 11 A(n) is one spin around an axis. A axis B axia A orbit B rotation C equator D orbit A C revolution D degree Slide 44 () / 104 11 A(n) is one spin around an axis. Slide 45 / 104 12 A(n) is one lap around an orbit. A orbit A axis B rotation B rotation C revolution B C revolution D degree D degree Slide 45 () / 104 12 A(n) is one lap around an orbit. A axis B rotation C revolution D degree C Slide 46 / 104 13 How long does one revolution of the Earth around the sun take? A 1 day B 1 month C 1 season D 1 year
Slide 46 () / 104 13 How long does one revolution of the Earth around the sun take? Slide 47 / 104 14 The moon always looks the same because it does not move. A 1 day B 1 month C 1 season D D 1 year Slide 47 () / 104 14 The moon always looks the same because it does not move. Slide 48 / 104 15 The moon does not revolve around the Sun. (Think!) Slide 48 () / 104 Slide 49 / 104 15 The moon does not revolve around the Sun. (Think!) Observable Patterns Return to Table of Contents
Slide 50 / 104 Observable Patterns Due to the positions and movement of the Earth and Moon around the Sun, we can see patterns on a regular basis. Slide 50 () / 104 Observable Patterns Due to the positions and movement of the Earth and Moon around the Sun, we can see patterns on a regular basis. 12 The moon is missing from this animation. How many times will the moon orbit the Earth during one of Earth's revolutions? The moon is missing from this animation. How many times will the moon orbit the Earth during one of Earth's revolutions? Slide 51 / 104 Pattern 1 - Day and Night Slide 52 / 104 Pattern 1 - Day and Night Earlier, you put the sun on this photo. What are the people on Earth experiencing when they are at position A? B? As the Earth rotates, only the side facing the Sun is in daylight. Sun Day Night A B Notice how the lights turn on as countries enter the night side of the Earth. Slide 53 / 104 Slide 53 () / 104 16 What causes the pattern of day and night? 16 What causes the pattern of day and night? A The Earth's rotation around the sun. B The Earth's rotation around its axis. C The Earth's revolution around the sun. D The Earth's revolution around its axis. A The Earth's rotation around the sun. B The Earth's rotation around its axis. B C The Earth's revolution around the sun. D The Earth's revolution around its axis.
Slide 54 / 104 17 The Sun does not shine when it is night time. Slide 54 () / 104 17 The Sun does not shine when it is night time. Slide 55 / 104 Pattern 2 Slide 56 / 104 The next pattern we will look at is the answer to the following riddle: : Your shadow! I follow you around in the light, I say good bye to you in the night? Who am I? Slide 57 / 104 Slide 58 / 104 Have you ever noticed that your shadow is longest in the early morning and in the late afternoon? A shadow is the absence of light. When an object blocks light, it creates a shadow. Did you get shorter? Did you grow? No? Then what happened? Think about these questions as you complete the following exercises.
Slide 59 / 104 Add the shadows or suns to the pictures in the place where they belong. Slide 59 () / 104 Add the shadows or suns to the pictures in the place where they belong. Slide 60 / 104 Slide 61 / 104 Your experiences may have made that a simple task. Did you know there is a pattern of shadows everyday? Add the arrow's shadow from the sun at. As you complete the next exercise, pay attention to the pattern of shadows. Choose from these shadows. Slide 61 () / 104 Slide 62 / 104 Add the arrow's shadow from the sun at. 3 pm Add the arrow's shadow from the sun at. Choose from these shadows. Choose from these shadows.
Slide 62 () / 104 Slide 63 / 104 Add the arrow's shadow from the sun at. Add the arrow's shadow from the sun at. Choose from these shadows. Choose from these shadows. Slide 63 () / 104 Slide 64 / 104 Add the arrow's shadow from the sun at. Add the arrow's shadow from the sun at. Choose from these shadows. Choose from these shadows. Slide 64 () / 104 Slide 65 / 104 Add the arrow's shadow from the sun at. Add the arrow's shadow from the sun at. Choose from these shadows. Choose from these shadows.
Slide 65 () / 104 Slide 66 / 104 Add the arrow's shadow from the sun at. In small groups, think about the shadows in the previous exercises. What features of the shadows changed during the day? length direction How did the shadow at compare to the shadow at? Same length but opposite direction. At what time(s) were shadows the longest? The shortest? Longest at and and shortest at noon. Choose from these shadows. Slide 67 / 104 Slide 67 () / 104 Based on your observations about shadows, write a statement that describes the pattern of shadows. In relation to the position of the sun, how do shadows form? Click here to watch a shadow dance by the Pilobolus Dance Company. Think about how the dance was choreographed in order to make each shadow. Based on your observations about shadows, write a statement that describes the pattern of shadows. In relation to the position of the sun, how do shadows form? Sample : Shadows change during the day with the angle of the sun. The lower the sun's angle, the longer the shadow. Shadows form in the opposite direction from where the sun is shining. A shadow follows an imaginary line drawn from the sun beyond the object. Click here to watch a shadow dance by the Pilobolus Dance Company. Think about how the dance was choreographed in order to make each shadow. Slide 68 / 104 18 Shadows form when an object blocks light. Slide 68 () / 104 18 Shadows form when an object blocks light.
Slide 69 / 104 19 During the day, shadows change in response to what? A The sun's brightness Slide 69 () / 104 19 During the day, shadows change in response to what? A The sun's brightness B The earth's revolution C The sun's angle D The earth's tilt B The earth's revolution C The sun's angle D The earth's tilt C Slide 70 / 104 20 The position of a shadow always follows a line beyond the line drawn from the Sun to the object. Slide 70 () / 104 20 The position of a shadow always follows a line beyond the line drawn from the Sun to the object. Slide 71 / 104 21 Suppose that the sun rises at and sets at. At what time would a shadow be the longest? A 8 am Slide 71 () / 104 21 Suppose that the sun rises at and sets at. At what time would a shadow be the longest? A 8 am B noon C B noon C D D D
Slide 72 / 104 22 If you are standing at the same location, how would your shadow differ from 7 am to 5 pm? Slide 72 () / 104 22 If you are standing at the same location, how would your shadow differ from 7 am to 5 pm? A It would be the same length but facing the opposite direction. B It would be shorter and facing the opposite direction. C It would be longer and facing the opposite direction. D It would be shorter and facing the same direction. A It would be the same length but facing the opposite direction. B B It would be shorter and facing the opposite direction. C It would be longer and facing the opposite direction. D It would be shorter and facing the same direction. Slide 73 / 104 Shadow Tracking Lab Use your analytical skills to quantify how your shadow changes throughout the day. Slide 74 / 104 Pattern 3 - Seasons Earth is tilted on its axis at 23.5 degrees. Because of this tilt, a country will experience direct sunlight (hot!) for part of the year. For the rest of the year, that same country will experience indirect sunlight (cold!). The Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun. It is experiencing winter. The Southern Hemisphere is tilted towards the sun. It is experiencing summer. Slide 75 / 104 Pattern 3 - Seasons The tilt of the Earth as it revolves around the sun causes the seasons. Look at the positions of the Earth and the sun below. For each image of the Earth, determine what season it is for the United States. Click in the box below each Earth to check your answers. Slide 76 / 104 23 What causes the seasons? A The tilt of the Earth as it revolves around the sun. B The tilt of the sun as the Earth revolves around it. C The tilt of the Earth as it rotates around its axis. D The tilt of the moon as it revolves around the Earth.
Slide 76 () / 104 23 What causes the seasons? Slide 77 / 104 24 In winter, the North Pole is tilted the sun. A The tilt of the Earth as it revolves around the sun. B The tilt of the sun as the Earth revolves around it. A C The tilt of the Earth as it rotates around its axis. A away from B towards D The tilt of the moon as it revolves [This object around is a pull tab] the Earth. Slide 77 () / 104 24 In winter, the North Pole is tilted the sun. Slide 78 / 104 Pattern 4 - Moon Phases A away from B towards A The moon seems to change its appearance. This is a very reliable pattern called the moon phases. As the moon revolves around the Earth, the side of the moon visible to us is not always fully lit by the Sun. Watch the time stamp - how many days does a full cycle take? 28 days. Slide 79 / 104 Pattern 4 - Moon Phases Slide 80 / 104 Pattern 4 - Moon Phases Notice the moons on the orbit. They are always 1/2 lit by the sun. On Earth, we can only see the portion of the moon that is lit by the sun. Position 1 is a "New Moon." This is when the moon is between Earth and the sun. The moon looks dark to us. From positions 1-5, we see more of the moon. The moon is growing or "waxing." Position 5 is a "Full Moon." We see the entire 1/2 that is lit by the sun. From positions 5-8 we see less of the moon. The moon is getting smaller or "waning."
Slide 81 / 104 Pattern 4 - Moon Phases Slide 82 / 104 25 The Moon changes size during a month. Click here to watch a video about the moon's phases. Source: Nasa.gov Remember: The moon is always 1/2 lit by the sun. It looks different to us because of the angle between where the moon is in its orbit and where we are on Earth. Slide 82 () / 104 25 The Moon changes size during a month. Slide 83 / 104 26 The Moon phase that is the brightest is. A New Moon The part of the moon that we can see from Earth changes during a month. B Full Moon C Quarter Moon D Crescent Moon Slide 83 () / 104 26 The Moon phase that is the brightest is. Slide 84 / 104 27 When the moon appears to be getting bigger, it is A New Moon A waxing. B Full Moon C Quarter Moon B B waning. D Crescent Moon
Slide 84 () / 104 27 When the moon appears to be getting bigger, it is Slide 85 / 104 A waxing. B waning. A The ancient Greeks looked at the sky and imagined pictures in the star formations. We call these constellations. Slide 86 / 104 Hide-and-Seek Star Activity Why do we only see the stars at night? Conduct this activity and discuss as a class. Then, click below to reveal the answer. The reason we cannot see the stars during the day is because of the sun. The sun is the closest star to us and it is our source of light. It is just like the thousands of stars that we see in the night sky, except that the sun is much closer to us than any of the other stars. When the sun is shining during the day, the light it gives off is so bright, that it outshines all other stars. Slide 87 / 104 Constellations were useful for ancient communities because most constellations are only visible in the night sky during certain months of the year. Ancient people were able to use the constellations as a calendar. For example, Orion becomes visible right before the start of winter. Spring Summer Fall Winter Source: www.kidscosmos.org Slide 88 / 104 Ancient communities did not have modern technology, such as GPS. Constellations were used for navigation. For example, by looking at the angle of Polaris (North Star) in the sky, you can determine your latitude. Slide 89 / 104 A constellation is a group of stars. Each point in a constellation is composed of an individual star. This is the constellation Orion, the hunter. Notice the three stars (Alnitak, Alnilam and Mintaka) that compose Orion's belt.
Slide 90 / 104 Slide 91 / 104 Here is Orion again with fewer lines drawn in. Can you still see it? How about now? Slide 92 / 104 Slide 93 / 104 Knowing one constellation can often help you to find other constellations or stars. If you sat and watched the stars all night, you would notice that they appear to move across the sky. This is similar to how the sun moves across the sky during the day. Ursa Major and Ursa Minor (big and little bears). The Big Dipper can be used to find the North Star, or Polaris. Think back to why it appears that the sun moves across the sky. Why do you think it also appears that the stars are moving? Click in the box to check your answer. The stars' positions appear to change as the Earth rotates on its axis. Click here to watch a time lapse of the changing night sky. Slide 94 / 104 Slide 95 / 104 Let's think about why most constellations are only visible during some months. Pretend you are a mouse. You decide to take a walk around a track. x You are at the "x." There is a bear in the middle of the track that you can always see. There are various landmarks around the track (flowers, smiley faces etc.) that you see when you are near them, but not all the time.
Slide 96 / 104 Take this idea and apply it to Earth: We are tiny specks on this Earth model. As we go around our orbit, we are always able to see the sun (during the day). We do not always see the same stars, however. Just like the mouse on the track. Slide 97 / 104 Relative to the Earth, the stars are fixed. They do not move. What we see changes over the course of a year in a regular, predictable way as the Earth revolves around the sun. Sun Earth Sun Earth Slide 98 / 104 The North Star is at the top of an imaginary dome over the whole orbit. We can always see it in the Northern Hemisphere. Slide 99 / 104 Think about the information on the previous slides. What three things determine what constellations you are able to see in the night sky? Click in the boxes to check your answers. Earth's rotation Earth's revolution Location on Earth What about if you live in the Southern Hemisphere? Can you see the Big Dipper? Slide 100 / 104 28 The positions of stars change every year. Slide 100 () / 104 28 The positions of stars change every year.
Slide 101 / 104 29 Stars in the sky appear to change during the night because of. Slide 101 () / 104 29 Stars in the sky appear to change during the night because of. A Earth's revolution A Earth's revolution B varying brightness of the stars C Earth's rotation B varying brightness of the stars C Earth's rotation C D your location on Earth D your location on Earth Slide 102 / 104 30 The constellations visible in the sky change from month to month because of. Slide 102 () / 104 30 The constellations visible in the sky change from month to month because of. A Earth's revolution A Earth's revolution B the birth of new stars C Earth's rotation D your location on Earth B the birth of new stars C Earth's rotation D your location on Earth A Slide 103 / 104 31 What factors contribute to what stars are visible to you at a specific time? (Choose all that apply.) Slide 103 () / 104 31 What factors contribute to what stars are visible to you at a specific time? (Choose all that apply.) A The moon's rotation A The moon's rotation B Your location on Earth C Earth's revolution D Earth's rotation B Your location on Earth C Earth's revolution D Earth's rotation B, C, and D
Slide 104 / 104 Big Dipper Clock Activity During the day, people are able to use the sun's progression in the sky to tell time. This sundial is an example of this. How can people tell the time during the night when the sun is not casting shadows? Find out in this activity!