Characteristics of Objects in Space
With a partner of your choice:
1. Choose an object from space from the list below.
 Mercury
 Venus
 Mars
 Earth
 Jupiter
 Saturn
 Neptune
 Uranus





Pluto
Galaxies (size, types, distance
between our galaxy and the
closest galaxy, unique features)
Comet
Asteroid
Meteor, meteoroid, meteorite
2. Prepare a short “Corel Presentations” show that describes the following characteristics about
your object (1 slide per topic ---- total of 4 slides).
a. Physical characteristics – e.g. size (diameter), composition (what it is made of),
temperature, time for one rotation around the Sun (if applicable)
b. Classification – e.g. terrestrial planet, gas giant, minor planet or where it can be found
c. Distance/Location – from us on Earth (if you choose Earth talk about distance from Earth
to other objects in our solar system)
d. Unique Features (e.g. moons, gravity)
e. Make sure that your ‘presentation’ includes pictures of your object!
3. Include a short handout (1/2 page) that the class can fill-in with key information as you give the
presentation.
You and your partner will be evaluated together as follows:
Out of
Physical Characteristics
Classification
Distance/Location
Unique Features
Pictures in Slide Show
Handout
Slide show
Total
Correct
Correct
Correct
Correct
Add to the understanding of your
object
Organized, easy to fill-in, to-thepoint, contains important
information
Organized, easy to read &
understand
/3
/2
/2
/3
/2
/4
/4
/20
The Sun
Physical Characteristics
 Size
o ________________________ km across
o __________ times bigger than the Earth
 Composition
o ____________ Hydrogen
o ____________ Helium
o ____________ other elements
 Temperature - _____________________
 Rotates once every ______________________
Classification
 The Sun is a _____________
Distance/Location
 The Sun is located ___________________________
Unique Features
 Gravity is __________ times greater than Earth’s
 Light reaches the Earth in _________________
 Is _____________________ from the center of The Milky
Way Galaxy