THE UNIVERSE & THE SOLAR SYSTEM

THE UNIVERSE & THE SOLAR SYSTEM

THE UNIVERSE & THE SOLAR SYSTEM Contents: 1. Main objectives. 2. Useful websites. 3. Word wall cards. 4. Vocabulary cards. 5. Glossary. 6. Key question cards. 7. Prior learning diagram. 8. Hands-on activities: 8a. The Earth and the seasons 8b. The Phases of the Moon 8c. The Solar System 8d. The Universe 9. Reading comprehension. 10. Final activities.

THE UNIVERSE & THE SOLAR SYSTEM Main Objectives: 1. To learn about the Earth and its relation to the Solar System and the Universe. 2. To describe the different seasons in relation to the Earth s axis. 3. To describe how and why the moon has different phases. 4. To know that the Earth is part of a Solar System which includes the Sun and the eight planets. 5. To know that the Sun is the most important part of the Solar System because it keeps the planets in their orbits. 6. To become acquainted with the different celestial bodies in the Universe.

Useful websites: http://www.kidsastronomy.com/solar_system.htm A useful website for the students to find information about the different planets. It explains the etymology of the planet s name, the moons each have, its size, temperature, orbit, etc. However, it is not updated as Pluto still appears in the webpage as a planet. http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/space/playspace/games/ji gsaw/jigsaw.shtml A website for students to play a jigsaw puzzle of building a Solar System, ranging from planets, moons to space probes. http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/na vigation/visualization.cfm A useful website to visualise the Earth s structure and motion. http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/co ntent/visualizations/es0102/es0102page01.cfm?chapter _no=visualization

A view of the Earth system as a set of four overlapping, interacting spheres: the geosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and atmosphere. http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/co ntent/visualizations/es0302/es0302page01.cfm?chapte r_no=visualization This series of six images begins at a scale that covers the whole Earth. It ends at a scale showing a block in the city. Each image shows features ten times larger than in the previous image. The images were generated using data from several satellites. http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/co ntent/visualizations/es0401/es0401page01.cfm?chapter _no=visualization Animation that shows the origin of the solar system. http://library.thinkquest.org/28327/ A website for students and teachers to go on a virtual journey into the universe. It has a virtual reproducation of the Solar System, although it still

includes Pluto as a planet. Clicking on an image (of the Sun or the planets), takes you to a page with information about it.

Universe Sun

Moon Astronomy

Solar system constellation

galaxy meteorites

Milky way star

asteroids planet

axis phases

waning waxing

crescent satellite

orbit sphere

rotation eclipse

Solar eclipse Lunar eclipse

sunrise sunset

East West

seasons gravity

Mercury Venus

Earth Mars

Jupiter Saturn

Uranus Neptune

comet tilt

n. everything that exists, including space, time, and matter. Universe The universe is made up of everything on Earth and in space. Sun Moon n. a massive shining sphere of hot gas. It is the star that is the central body of the Solar System, around which the planets revolve and from which they receive light and heat. The Sun is the center of our Solar System. n. the Earth's natural satellite which orbits the Earth. It has no light of its own. The Earth s moon is full of craters.

n. the science that studies the Universe beyond the Earth's atmosphere. astronomy Astronomy is the science that helps us understand the Universe. n. a system of planets which revolve around the Sun. Solar System Our Solar System began 4.6 billion years ago. constellation n. various groups of stars to which definite names have been given, as Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Boötes, Cancer, Orion. A constellation is a group of stars that appears to form a pattern or picture.

galaxy n. a large system of stars held together by mutual gravitation and isolated from similar systems by vast regions of space. The Milky Way is our galaxy. meteorites n. a mass of stone or metal that has reached the Earth from outer space; a fallen meteoroid. Meteorites are rocks from space that actually have landed on the Earth s or another planet s surface. Milky Way n. the spiral galaxy containing our Solar System. With the naked eye it is observed as a faint luminous band stretching across the heavens, composed of approximately a trillion stars, most of which are too distant to be seen individually. Our Solar System is inside the Milky Way galaxy.

star n. any of the heavenly bodies, except the moon, appearing as fixed luminous points in the sky at night. The Sun is a star. asteroids n. also called minor planets. Any of the thousands of small bodies measuring from 775 km to less than 1.6 km in diameter that revolve around the sun. Asteroids are rocky bodies that orbit the Sun. planet n. a planet is a spherical ball of rock and/or gas that orbits a star. The Earth is a planet. Our Solar System has eight planets. These planets are, in order of increasing average distance from the Sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Pluto is no longer considered a planet.

Mercury n. is the closest planet to the Sun and the eighth largest. It is called a rocky planet because it is composed primarily of rock and metal. Mercury has no moons. Venus Earth n. is the second planet from the Sun and the sixth largest in the Solar System. It is called a rocky planet because it is composed primarily of rock and metal. Venus is almost the same size as the Earth. n. is the third planet from the Sun and the fifth largest. It is called a rocky planet because it is composed primarily of rock and metal. The Earth is the only planet we know that has life.

n. is the fourth planet from the Sun and the seventh largest. It is called a rocky planet because it is composed primarily of rock and metal. Mars Mars is known as the red planet. Jupiter n. is the fifth planet from the Sun and the largest planet of the Solar System. It is called a gas or Jovian planet because it is composed primarily of hydrogen and helium. Jupiter is the largest planet in our Solar System. Saturn n. is the sixth planet from the Sun and the second largest. It is called a gas or Jovian planet because it is composed primarily of hydrogen and helium. Saturn is best known for its beautiful rings.

Uranus n. is the seventh planet from the Sun and the third largest. It is called a gas or Jovian planet because it is composed primarily of hydrogen and helium. Uranus was the first planet discovered by telescope. Neptune n. is the eighth planet from the Sun and the fourth largest. It is called a gas or Jovian planet because it is composed primarily of hydrogen and helium. Neptune spins on its axis once every 16 hours. axis n. an imaginary line through the Earth which runs from pole to pole. It is the line about which a rotating body turns. Earth s axis is tilted at 23.5 degrees in relation to the plane of its orbit.

phases n.the particular appearance presented by the Moon or a planet at a given time. The lunar phases vary cyclically as the Moon orbits the Earth. adj. the figure of the Moon in its first or last quarter, resembling a banana. crescent A crescent Moon looks like a banana. n. move in orbits around planets, just as the planets orbit around the Sun. satellite The moon is the Earth s natural satellite.

waning v. (of the moon) to decrease periodically in the extent of its illuminated portion after the full Moon. The Moon is waning when it progressively reflects less light. v. to show a progressively larger illuminated area, as the Moon does in passing from new to full. waxing The Moon is waxing when it progressively reflects more light. orbit v. to move or travel around in an orbital or elliptical path the way a planet, satellite, spaceship, etc., moves around a celestial body, like the Sun. The planets orbit the Sun.

n. a shape like a ball. sphere The Sun and the planets are shaped like a sphere. v. to cause to turn around an axis or center point. rotate The Moon and the Earth rotate around their axis. n. the hiding of light. eclipse A total lunar eclipse occurs when a full Moon passes through the Earth's shadow during its orbit.

solar eclipse lunar eclipse sunrise n. hiding of the light of the Sun because of the position of the Moon between the Sun and a point on the Earth. A total eclipse occurs when the Sun is completely hidden by the Moon. n. hiding of the light of the Moon because of the position of the Earth between the Moon and the Sun. There is always a full moon when a lunar eclipse occurs. n. when the part of the Earth turns so it is lit by the Sun. It is the time when half the sun has risen above the horizon. Sunrise is also known as dawn.

sunset n. When the Earth moves around so it isn t lit by the Sun. It is the setting or descent of the sun below the horizon in the evening. Sunset is also known as dusk. n. a cardinal point of the compass, 90 to the right of north. It is where the Sun rises. East The Sun rises in the East. West n. a cardinal point of the compass, 90 to the left of north. It is where the Sun sets. The Sun sets in the West.

n. period of the year characterized by Seasons particular conditions of weather and temperature depending on the position of the Earth with respect to the Sun. The seasons depend on the position of the Earth in relation to the Sun. n. the force that pulls us gravity towards the centre of the Earth. Gravity keeps the planets in orbit. n. being inclined in a sloping position away from the axis. tilt The axis of the Earth is tilted at 23.5 degrees.

comet n. a celestial body with a solid core of frozen water, frozen gases, and dust. When it travels near the Sun, it leaves a long bright trail of light behind it. Halley s comet is the most famous comet in history.

The Universe & the Solar System Glossary: Universe: n. everything that exists, including space, time, and matter. Sun: n. a massive shining sphere of hot gas. It is the star that is the central body of the solar system, around which the planets revolve and from which they receive light and heat. Moon: n. the Earth's natural satellite which orbits the Earth. It has no light of its own. astronomy: n. the science that studies the universe beyond the earth's atmosphere. Solar system: n. a system of planets which revolve around a star (or sun). constellation: n. various groups of stars to which definite names have been given, as Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Boötes, Cancer, Orion. galaxy: n. a large system of stars held together by mutual gravitation and isolated from similar systems by vast regions of space.

meteorites: n. a mass of stone or metal that has reached the Earth from outer space; a fallen meteoroid. Milky way: n. the spiral galaxy containing our solar system. With the naked eye it is observed as a faint luminous band stretching across the heavens, composed of approximately a trillion stars, most of which are too distant to be seen individually. star: n. any of the heavenly bodies, except the Moon, appearing as fixed luminous points in the sky at night. asteroids: n. also called minor planets. Any of the thousands of small bodies measuring from 775 km to less than 1.6 km in diameter that revolve around the Sun. planet: n. a planet is a spherical ball of rock and/or gas that orbits a star. The Earth is a planet. Our Solar System has eight planets. These planets are, in order of increasing average distance from the Sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.

Mercury: n. is the closest planet to the Sun and the eighth largest. It is called a rocky planet because it is composed primarily of rock and metal. Venus: n. is the second planet from the Sun and the sixth largest in the Solar System. It is called a rocky planet because it is composed primarily of rock and metal. Earth: n. is the third planet from the Sun and the fifth largest. It is called a rocky planet because it is composed primarily of rock and metal. Mars: n. is the fourth planet from the Sun and the seventh largest. It is called a rocky planet because it is composed primarily of rock and metal. Jupiter: n. is the fifth planet from the Sun and the largest planet of the Solar System. It is called a gas or Jovian planet because it is composed primarily of hydrogen and helium. Saturn: n. is the sixth planet from the Sun and the second largest. It is called a gas or Jovian planet because it is composed primarily of hydrogen and helium.

Uranus: n. is the seventh planet from the Sun and the third largest. It is called a gas or Jovian planet because it is composed primarily of hydrogen and helium. Neptune: n. is the eighth planet from the Sun and the fourth largest. It is called a gas or Jovian planet because it is composed primarily of hydrogen and helium. axis: n. an imaginary line through the Earth which runs from pole to pole. It is the line about which a rotating body turns. phases: n. the particular appearance presented by the Moon or a planet at a given time. crescent: adj. the figure of the Moon in its first or last quarter, resembling a banana. satellite: n. move in orbits around planets, just as the planets orbit around the Sun. waning: v. (of the Moon) to decrease periodically in the extent of its illuminated portion after the full Moon. waxing: v. to show a progressively larger illuminated area, as the Moon does in passing from new to full.

orbit: v. to move or travel around in an orbital or elliptical path the way a planet, satellite, spaceship, etc., moves around a celestial body, like the Sun. sphere: n. a shape like a ball. rotate: v. to cause to turn around an axis or center point. eclipse: n. the hiding of light. solar eclipse: n. hiding of the light of the sun because of the position of the moon between the Sun and a point on the Earth. lunar eclipse: n. hiding of the light of the Moon because of the position of the earth between the Moon and the Sun. sunrise: n. when the part of the Earth turns so it is lit by the Sun. It is the time when half the Sun has risen above the horizon. sunset: n. When the Earth moves around so it isn t lit by the Sun. It is the setting or descent of the Sun below the horizon in the evening..

East: n. a cardinal point of the compass, 90 to the right of north. It is where the Sun rises. West: n. a cardinal point of the compass, 90 to the left of north. It is where the Sun sets seasons: n. period of the year characterized by particular conditions of weather and temperature depending on the position of the Earth with respect to the Sun gravity: n. the force that pulls us towards the centre of the Earth. tilt: n. being inclined in a sloping position away from the axis. comet: n. a celestial body with a solid core of frozen water, frozen gases and dust. When it travels near the Sun, it leaves a long bright trail of light behind it.

What is the name of our Galaxy?

Can you name the planets of the Solar System?

What type of force keeps the sun and the planets in their place? Ç

How long does it take for the Moon to rotate on its axis?

How long does it take the Earth to go round the Sun?

How long does it take for the Earth to turn on its own axis?

What is the closest planet to the Sun?

How do day and night happen?

Why does the Moon change its shape?

What happened to Pluto?

How do the seasons happen?

What causes a lunar eclipse?

Can you name the planets of the Solar System? Add more arrows if you need more. Planets

Can you name or draw the phases of the moon? Add more arrows if you need more. Moon

Can you name the celestial bodies in the Universe? Add more arrows if you need more Universe

Main Objective: Hands on Activity 1 The Earth and the Seasons 1. To demonstrate an understanding that the Sun is in the center of the Solar System. 2. To describe and demonstrate and understanding of the rotation and orbit of the Moon and the Earth. 3. To know and describe that seasons are a result of the tilt of the Earth s axis as it orbits around the Sun. 4. To know and be able to describe how and why the night and day happen. Resources needed: Relevant key question cards Relevant word wall cards PowerPoint 8a Activity Sheet 8a

Development: The PowerPoint presentation is provided to help the students understand the concept of the Earth and the Moon s rotation and orbit. It also tries to explain the concept of seasons in relation to the Earth s axis and orbit around the Sun, and the concept of night and day. Instructions for Activity Sheet: Give the students the activity sheet 8a and ask them to complete the diagram with the missing seasons. The activity is aimed to help them recall and understand how the tilt of the Earth and its position in relation to the Sun causes the seasons to happen.

Activity Sheet 8a EARTH SUMMER EARTH EARTH SUN EARTH

Main Objective: Hands on Activity 2 The Phases of the Moon 1. To know and demonstrate and understanding that the Sun is in the center of the Solar System. 2. To know and understand the rotation and orbit of the Moon and the Earth. 3. To know the different Moon phases. 4. To know that the phases of the moon depend on the illumination it receives from the Sun. 5. To distinguish a lunar eclipse from a new Moon. Resources needed: Relevant key question cards Relevant word wall cards PowerPoint 8b Activity Sheet 8b

Development: The PowerPoint presentation is provided to help the students understand the concept of the phases of the Moon as caused by its position relative to the Sun and the Earth. It also helps the students associate the particular phase with its name. Instructions for Activity Sheet: Give the students Activity Sheet 8b.1. Ask them to draw and label the phases of the Moon. Then, give the students the Activity Sheet 8b.2 Phases of the Moon. Ask them to try writing the date on each space provided after the numbered day. Ask them to try to directly observe the Moon and draw what they see. If the Moon is not visible from their homes, ask them to look it up in the internet or newspaper, and draw in the corresponding phase of the Moon for the day. Ask them to label each phase.

Activity Sheet 8b.1 MOON

Activity Sheet 8b PHASES OF THE MOON Day 1: Day 2: Day 3: Day 4: Day 5: Day 6: Day7: Day 8: Day 9: Day 10: Day 11: Day 12: Day 13: Day 14: Day 15: Day 16: Day 17: Day 18: Day 19: Day20: Day 21: Day 22: Day 23: Day 24: Day 25: Day 26: Day 27: Day 28: Day 29: Day 30:

Hands on Activity 3 The Solar System Main Objective: 1. To identify that the Sun as the most important part of the Solar system because it keeps the planets in their orbit. 2. To describe how the Solar System began. 3. To describe the Solar System as being made up of the Sun, the Earth and seven other planets. 4. To know that the eight planets are divided into the Inner Planets and Outer Planets divided by the Asteroid Belt. 5. To explain why Pluto is no longer considered a planet. Resources needed: Relevant key question cards Relevant word wall cards PowerPoint 8c Activity Sheet 8c

Development: The PowerPoint presentation is provided to help the students visualize and understand the Solar System and information about the planets in it. After viewing the power point presentation, you may present Activity Sheet 8c.1 and 8c.2 to see what they have remembered from it. Instructions for Activity Sheets: Ask the students to complete Activity Sheet 8c.1 and 8c.2. Tell them to carry out a web quest in order to complete the information by using the internet. The website: http://www.kidsastronomy.com/solar_system.htm may be helpful.

Activty Sheet 8c.1 Can you complete the chart? Name of the planet Orbit around the Sun Temperature Color Moons

Activity Sheet 8c.2. Color and label.

Hands on Activity 4 The Universe Main Objective: 1. To become acquainted with the different celestial bodies present in the Universe. 2. To differentiate between a constellation and a galaxy. 3. To describe in simple terms how a star is born. 4. To define in simple terms what a light year is. 5. To become acquainted with the different kinds of stars. Resources needed: Relevant key question cards Relevant word wall cards PowerPoint 8d Activity Sheet 8d Development: The PowerPoint presentation is provided to help the students visualize and understand the Universe and the different celestial bodies present in it. After viewing the power point presentation, you may present Activity Sheet 8d.

Can you identify what it is? Choose the correct word from the box. yellow star galaxy meteors constellation asteroids red dwarf light year black hole A large collection of stars, gas and dust. They may have millions to billions of stars. They are yellow and live for only 10 billion years. It is the distance that light can travel in one year in a vacuum about 5,880,000,000,000 miles. Streaks of light and particles that are moving through our atmosphere. It is a group of stars that appears to form a pattern or picture. They are rocky bodies, less than 1000 kilometers across, that orbit our Sun. It is a small star that lives for a very long time. It is a dead star with a gravity so strong light cannot escape from it.

READING COMPREHENSION I PEDRO DUQUE ASTRONAUT, EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY Pedro Duque was born on 14 th March 1963 in Madrid, Spain. He is married and has 3 children. He enjoys diving, swimming and cycling. He graduated with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Aeronáuticos, Universidad Politécnica, Madrid in 1986. He is a member of the Spanish Academy of Engineering. President Boris Yeltsin of the Russian Federation awarded him the Russian "Order of Friendship" in March 1995. He was awarded the "Great Cross of Aeronautical Merit" by the King of Spain in February 1999. He was also awarded the "Principe de Asturias" prize for International Cooperation alongside three other astronauts. Until 1992, he worked on the development of models for orbit computation software. He was also part of the Flight Control Team for ESA's ERS-1 satellite and EURECA, the European Retrievable Carrier. Duque was selected to join the ESA Astronaut Corps based at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne, Germany, in May 1992. He completed the Introductory and Basic Training Programs at EAC and a four-week training program at the Russian Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia.

Duque flew as Mission Specialist on the Space Shuttle Discovery, STS-95 mission on 29 October to 7 November 1998. This nine-day mission was dedicated to research in weightlessness and the study of the Sun. Duque was responsible, among others, for the five ESA scientific facilities on board and for the extensive computer system and configurations used on the Shuttle. From 18 to 28 October 2003, Pedro Duque participated in the Cervantes Mission. During this 10-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS), Duque served as Flight Engineer on the Soyuz-TMA, launching with the Expedition Eight crew and landing with Expedition Seven. Duque carried out an extensive experiment programme in the fields of life and physical sciences, earth observation, education and technology, including experiments in the Microgravity Science Glovebox, a research facility developed in Europe.

Comprehension Questions: 1. Where was Pedro Duque born? 2. Where and what did he study? 3. What did President Boris Yeltsin award him? 4. What did the King of Spain award him? 5. What do the letters EAC mean? 6. What did Pedro Duque do in the EAC? 7. Where did Pedro Duque train aside from the EAC? 8. How long did Duque train in Russia?

9. What did Pedro Duque do in the Space Shuttle Discovery, STS-95? 10. When did the Space Shuttle Discovery go on its mission to space? 11. What did Duque do in the Cervantes mission? 12. Name five experiment programmes the Cervantes Mission carried out. 13. How long did the Cervantes Mission take? When did it take place? 14. What kind of computer software did Pedro Duque work with till 1992?

READING COMPREHENSION II Halley s Comet Halley s comet remains to be the most famous comet in history. It has been observed by astronomers since 240 BC. However, it was named after the astronomer, Edmund Halley, who observed a bright comet and noted that it was moving in an orbit similar to comets seen in 1531 and 1607. Edmund showed that the comet of 1682 was the same as the one seen in 1607, and he successfully predicted its return in 1759. Its most recent appearance was in February 9, 1986. It orbits the sun every 75-76 years. The passing in 1986 was not the most spectacular. It could be seen by the naked eye in good locations with difficulty. Many spacecrafts were sent up to study the comet. One craft was the Giotta, a 950 kg probe that came within 500 km of the comets nucleus on March 13, 1986. The U.S.S.R then launched two probes, Vega 1 and Vega 2 in December 1994, which swung around Venus before coming within 10,000 km of the comet on 6 th and 9 th March. After that, Japan launched 138 kg Sakigake. It flew by at a distance of 7,000,000 km on March 11, 1986. It will appear next in mid-2061 and then in 2134.

Comprehension Questions: 1. Who is the astronomer that discovered the most famous comet in history? 2. As early as what year have astronomers been seeing this comet? 3. Can you name at least four years when the comet appeared in our Solar System? 4. How long does the Halley s Comet take to orbit the Sun? 5. When did the comet last appear in our Solar System? 6. When will it appear again? 7. Name three spacecrafts sent to space to observe the comet.

Final Activity I SPACE QUIZ 1. What is the name of our Galaxy? a. The Universe b. The Milky Way c. The Solar System d. Mr Galaxy 2. How many times would the Earth fit inside the sun? a. 1,300 b. 1,600 c. 8,000 d. More than a million 3. When did scientists decide Pluto wasn t a planet? a. 1930 b. 1991 c. 2006 d. 1996 4. What is unusual about the sun compared to many other stars? a. It has planets orbiting it b. It is a ball of burning gas c. It shines d. It isn t real a star 5. How long does it take for the moon to rotate on its axis? a. one day b. 3 weeks c. 27 days d. one year

6. Which is the closest planet to the sun? a. Venus b. Mars c. Mercury d. Earth 7. Where would you find the asteroid belt? a. Between Earth and Mars b. Between Mars and Jupiter c. Between Jupiter and Saturn d. Under your belt 8. Which is the farthest planet to the sun? a. Venus b. Neptune c. Mercury d. Earth 9. How many planets are there? a. 8 b. 9 c. 10 d. 11 10. Which is the only planet with flowing water on its surface? a. Venus b. Mars c. Uranus d. Earth 11. How much of the Earth s surface is covered by water? a. 50% b. 60% c. 70% d. 80%

Space Puzzle Final Activity II Across 1. Earth's natural satellite 5. The science that studies the Universe 7. Appearance presented by the Moon 9. A shape like a ball 12. The fifth planet from the Sun Down 2. To move or travel around in an elliptical path 3. a spherical ball of rock and/or gas that orbits a star 4. the central body of our Solar System 6. The closest planet to the Sun 8. An imaginary line through the Earth 10. Being inclined in a sloping position 11. The second planet from the Sun

Solution: 1. b 2. d 3. c 4. a 5. c 6. c 7. b 8. b 9. a 10. d 11. c Final Activity I Final Activity II Across: 1. Moon 5. Astronomy 7. phases 9. sphere 12. Jupiter Down: 2. orbit 3. planet 4. Sun 6. Mercury 8. axis 10. tilt 11. Venus