4.7 The Solar System
The student will investigate and understand the organization of the solar system. Key concepts include
a) the planets in the solar system;
b) the order of the planets in the solar system; and
c) the relative sizes of the planets.
a) the planets in the solar system;
b) the order of the planets in the solar system; and
c) the relative sizes of the planets.
Understanding the Standard:
· Our solar system is ancient. Early astronomers believed that Earth was the center of the universe and all other heavenly bodies orbited around Earth. We now know that our sun is the center of our solar system and eight planets, a handful of dwarf planets, 170 named moons, dust, gas, and thousands of asteroids and comets orbit around the sun.
· Our solar system is made up of eight planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
· Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars are considered terrestrial planets. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are called gas giants.
· Mercury is closest to the sun and is a small, heavily cratered planet. Mercury looks like our moon. Since Pluto’s reclassification from planet to dwarf planet, Mercury is now the smallest planet in our solar system.
· Venus is second from the sun. It is similar to Earth in size and mass, and has a permanent blanket of clouds that trap so much heat that the temperatures on the surface of Venus are hot enough to melt lead.
· Earth is third from the sun. Earth’s atmosphere, the liquid water found on Earth, and its distance from the sun, among many other factors, make Earth a haven for life.
· Mars is fourth from the sun. The atmosphere on Mars is thin and there is a vast network of canyons and riverbeds on the red planet. Scientists hypothesize that Mars once supported a wet, warm Earth-like climate.
· Jupiter is fifth from the sun. Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system and is considered a gas giant. Jupiter has no solid surface.
Saturn is sixth from the sun. Early scientists thought Saturn was the only planet with rings, but we now know that all four gas giants (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune) have rings.
· Uranus is seventh from the sun. Uranus is a gas giant.
· Neptune is eighth from the sun. Neptune appears blue through telescopes and is a gas giant.
· The eight planets sorted by size from largest to smallest are: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Earth, Venus, Mars, and Mercury.
· Pluto is no longer included in the list of planets in our solar system due to its small size and irregular orbit. Many astronomers questioned whether Pluto should be grouped with worlds like Earth and Jupiter. In 2006, this debate led the International Astronomical Union (IAU), the recognized authority in naming heavenly objects, to formally reclassify Pluto. On August 24, 2006, Pluto's status was officially changed from planet to dwarf planet.
· A new distinct class of objects called "dwarf planets" was identified in 2006. It was agreed that "planets" and "dwarf planets" are two distinct classes of objects. The first members of the dwarf planet category are Ceres, Pluto and 2003 UB313, given the name Eris. More dwarf planets are expected to be announced by the IAU in the future.
· What differentiates a dwarf planet from a planet? For the most part, they are identical, but there is one key difference: A dwarf planet has not "cleared the neighborhood" around its orbit, which means it has not become gravitationally dominant and it shares its orbital space with other bodies of a similar size.
· Pluto is smaller than seven of the moons in our solar system and cannot be seen without a telescope.
· Our solar system is ancient. Early astronomers believed that Earth was the center of the universe and all other heavenly bodies orbited around Earth. We now know that our sun is the center of our solar system and eight planets, a handful of dwarf planets, 170 named moons, dust, gas, and thousands of asteroids and comets orbit around the sun.
· Our solar system is made up of eight planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
· Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars are considered terrestrial planets. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are called gas giants.
· Mercury is closest to the sun and is a small, heavily cratered planet. Mercury looks like our moon. Since Pluto’s reclassification from planet to dwarf planet, Mercury is now the smallest planet in our solar system.
· Venus is second from the sun. It is similar to Earth in size and mass, and has a permanent blanket of clouds that trap so much heat that the temperatures on the surface of Venus are hot enough to melt lead.
· Earth is third from the sun. Earth’s atmosphere, the liquid water found on Earth, and its distance from the sun, among many other factors, make Earth a haven for life.
· Mars is fourth from the sun. The atmosphere on Mars is thin and there is a vast network of canyons and riverbeds on the red planet. Scientists hypothesize that Mars once supported a wet, warm Earth-like climate.
· Jupiter is fifth from the sun. Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system and is considered a gas giant. Jupiter has no solid surface.
Saturn is sixth from the sun. Early scientists thought Saturn was the only planet with rings, but we now know that all four gas giants (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune) have rings.
· Uranus is seventh from the sun. Uranus is a gas giant.
· Neptune is eighth from the sun. Neptune appears blue through telescopes and is a gas giant.
· The eight planets sorted by size from largest to smallest are: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Earth, Venus, Mars, and Mercury.
· Pluto is no longer included in the list of planets in our solar system due to its small size and irregular orbit. Many astronomers questioned whether Pluto should be grouped with worlds like Earth and Jupiter. In 2006, this debate led the International Astronomical Union (IAU), the recognized authority in naming heavenly objects, to formally reclassify Pluto. On August 24, 2006, Pluto's status was officially changed from planet to dwarf planet.
· A new distinct class of objects called "dwarf planets" was identified in 2006. It was agreed that "planets" and "dwarf planets" are two distinct classes of objects. The first members of the dwarf planet category are Ceres, Pluto and 2003 UB313, given the name Eris. More dwarf planets are expected to be announced by the IAU in the future.
· What differentiates a dwarf planet from a planet? For the most part, they are identical, but there is one key difference: A dwarf planet has not "cleared the neighborhood" around its orbit, which means it has not become gravitationally dominant and it shares its orbital space with other bodies of a similar size.
· Pluto is smaller than seven of the moons in our solar system and cannot be seen without a telescope.
Book Resources:
13 Planets: The Latest View of the Solar System
By David Aguilar. 2011. 64p. National Geographic Children's Book. (978-1426307706).
Grades 3+
Ages 8+
http://tinyurl.com/6sn3qjp
*An update on the solar system and what planets are currently in our solar system. Perfect for kids!
Grades 3+
Ages 8+
http://tinyurl.com/6sn3qjp
*An update on the solar system and what planets are currently in our solar system. Perfect for kids!
Exploring the Solar System: A History with 22 Activities
By Mary Kay Carson. 2008. 176p. Chicago Review Press. (978-1556527159).
Grades 4+
Ages 9+
http://tinyurl.com/83h3ulg
*This is an awesome activity book. Not only will your students learn about space, space exploration and much more; they will get to do activities!
Grades 4+
Ages 9+
http://tinyurl.com/83h3ulg
*This is an awesome activity book. Not only will your students learn about space, space exploration and much more; they will get to do activities!
Space Exploration: DK Eyewitness Books
By Carol Stott & DK Publishing. 2009. 72p. DK Children. (978-0756658281).
Grades 3+
Ages 8+
http://tinyurl.com/7cjo6n7
*Let your students explore space in this DK Eyewitness book. I love these books for science centers. I think they engage students and allow for them to look through at there own pace. Although, for some it could be a harder read.
Grades 3+
Ages 8+
http://tinyurl.com/7cjo6n7
*Let your students explore space in this DK Eyewitness book. I love these books for science centers. I think they engage students and allow for them to look through at there own pace. Although, for some it could be a harder read.
Jacob Wonderbar and the Cosmic Space Kapow
By Nathan Bransford. 2012. 288p. Puffin. (978-014240973).
Grade 4+
Ages 9+
http://tinyurl.com/76x38td
*This is an adventure book to share with your 4th graders. It is about a 6th grader name Jacob Wonderbar who goes on a space adventure! Would be a great read-aloud!
Grade 4+
Ages 9+
http://tinyurl.com/76x38td
*This is an adventure book to share with your 4th graders. It is about a 6th grader name Jacob Wonderbar who goes on a space adventure! Would be a great read-aloud!
A Child's Introduction to the Night Sky: The Story of the Stars, Planets, and Constellations--and How You Can Find Them in the Sky
By Michael Driscoll & Meredith Hamilton. 2004. 96p. Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers. (978-1579123666)
Grades 3+
Ages 8+
http://tinyurl.com/7okogpe
*Great book to share with your students about stars, planets, and space. It has so much information to share! Great introduction to Planets.
Grades 3+
Ages 8+
http://tinyurl.com/7okogpe
*Great book to share with your students about stars, planets, and space. It has so much information to share! Great introduction to Planets.
Study Jams:
*Study Jams: Inner Planets
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/solar-system/solar-system-inner.htm
*Study Jams: Outer Planets
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/solar-system/solar-system-outer.htm
*Study Jams: The Universe
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/solar-system/universe.htm
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/solar-system/solar-system-inner.htm
*Study Jams: Outer Planets
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/solar-system/solar-system-outer.htm
*Study Jams: The Universe
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/solar-system/universe.htm
Interactive Websites for Kids:
Our Solar System:
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/solar_system.htm
*Click and learn about the different planets in our solar system.
Solar System: National Geographic
http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/space/solar-system
*Great wealth of information about the solar system. Children can use computer time to research information about whats out in the solar system.
Exploration of the Universe: Discovery Education
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schooladventures/universe/
*Take a tour! Learn information about the universe. Includes vocabulary.
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/solar_system.htm
*Click and learn about the different planets in our solar system.
Solar System: National Geographic
http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/space/solar-system
*Great wealth of information about the solar system. Children can use computer time to research information about whats out in the solar system.
Exploration of the Universe: Discovery Education
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schooladventures/universe/
*Take a tour! Learn information about the universe. Includes vocabulary.
Printable Worksheets:
Space Vocabulary Dictionary Skills:
http://tinyurl.com/72k3h6b
*Have your students learn space vocabulary while using there dictionary skills!
Space Age Word Search:
http://www.tlsbooks.com/spaceage.pdf
Solar System Crossword Puzzle:
http://www.tlsbooks.com/solarsystemfun.pdf
http://tinyurl.com/72k3h6b
*Have your students learn space vocabulary while using there dictionary skills!
Space Age Word Search:
http://www.tlsbooks.com/spaceage.pdf
Solar System Crossword Puzzle:
http://www.tlsbooks.com/solarsystemfun.pdf
Assessments:
Reading Comprehension with answers on all the planets:
Mars
http://www.tlsbooks.com/marsreadingcomp.pdf
Jupiter
http://www.tlsbooks.com/jupiterreadingcomp.pdf
Mercury
http://www.tlsbooks.com/mercuryreadingcomp.pdf
Neptune
http://www.tlsbooks.com/neptunereadingcomp.pdf
Venus
http://www.tlsbooks.com/venusreadingcomp.pdf
Uranus
http://www.tlsbooks.com/uranusreadingcomp.pdf
Saturn
http://www.tlsbooks.com/saturnreadingcomp.pdf
Earth
http://www.tlsbooks.com/earthreadingcomp.pdf
Mars
http://www.tlsbooks.com/marsreadingcomp.pdf
Jupiter
http://www.tlsbooks.com/jupiterreadingcomp.pdf
Mercury
http://www.tlsbooks.com/mercuryreadingcomp.pdf
Neptune
http://www.tlsbooks.com/neptunereadingcomp.pdf
Venus
http://www.tlsbooks.com/venusreadingcomp.pdf
Uranus
http://www.tlsbooks.com/uranusreadingcomp.pdf
Saturn
http://www.tlsbooks.com/saturnreadingcomp.pdf
Earth
http://www.tlsbooks.com/earthreadingcomp.pdf