Earth, Moon, and Sun Text Read to Understand Questions (pg. 2-5) – “Where Is Earth in Space?” Text Question What function does Earth’s atmosphere serve? What is a satellite, and how do satellites stay in orbit? Why would your weight be different on another planet? Answer The function of the Earth’s atmosphere is to: keep the temperature even block dangerous rays from the Sun contains gases needed for life cause meteoroids to burn A satellite is an object that orbits another object in space. The force of gravity and a satellite’s high speed keep it in orbit. Your weight would be different on another planet because different planets have different masses so the force of gravity pulling down is different. Earth, Moon, and Sun Text Read to Understand Questions (pg. 6-7) – “What Is the Sun Like?” Text Question How does energy from the Sun’s core travel into space? What are some ways that scientists study the Sun and other stars? Answer Energy from the core travels outward by electromagnetic waves. It is carried by hot, convecting gases to the Sun’s surface. Energy from the Sun’s surface travels out into space as light. Some energy is also released in solar flares. Scientists use telescopes, infrared and x-ray technologies, and spectrometers to study the Sun and other starts. Earth, Moon, and Sun Text Read to Understand Questions (pg. 8-10) – “What Causes Days and Years?” Text Question How is Earth’s rotation related to day and night? How is time related to your location on Earth? Why is the length of a year different for each planet? Answer The time it takes for Earth to complete one rotation is a day. At any point in Earth’s rotation, the side of Earth facing the Sun experiences day, and the side facing away from the Sun, night. Earth is divided into 24 time zones, each 1 hour apart. The time it takes each planet to complete one revolution around the Sun is different. The planets that are closer to the Sun have smaller orbits and revolve faster. Earth, Moon, and Sun Text Read to Understand Questions (pg. 11-12) – “What Causes Seasons?” Text Question Answer Earth’s tilt causes the poles to point toward How is Earth’s axial tilt related or away from the Sun at different times of to the seasons? the year, causing the amount of solar energy received by the different hemispheres to change over the course of a year. The hemisphere experiencing summer gets Why is summer in the more direct solar energy and the days are Northern Hemisphere warmer longer, making temperatures warmer. than winter? How are solstices and equinoxes related to the position of Earth in its orbit? Solstices occur during Earth’s orbit when the Sun’s direct rays strike farthest north or south of the equator. Equinoxes occur when the Sun’s rays strike the equator directly. Earth, Moon, and Sun Text Read to Understand Questions (pg. 13-15) – “What Is the Moon Like?” Text Question Answer How do meteorites shape the Bowl-shaped depressions called craters form Moon’s surface? when meteorites hit the Moon. The same side of the Moon always faces Why does the same side of Earth because it takes the same amount of the Moon always face Earth? time for the Moon to complete one revolution around Earth as it does to complete one rotation on its axis. What causes the phases of the Moon? Like all bodies in the solar system, half of the Moon is always lit by the Sun. As the Moon orbits Earth, we see a different amount of the lighted half. The lighted portion visible from Earth changes shape a little each day. Earth, Moon, and Sun Text Read to Understand Questions (pg. 16-17) – “What Causes Tides?” Text Question How are ocean tides related to gravity? Answer Tides are partly caused by the Moon’s gravity. Since gravity is stronger when objects are closer, the Moon’s gravity pulls harder on the parts of Each closest to the Moon. This causes a high tide on the side toward the Moon. A spring tide is when high tides are higher What is a spring tide, and how than normal and low tides are lower than is it caused? normal. This happens when the Sun is lined up with the Moon and Earth. The gravity of the Sun and the Moon pull in the same direction. A neap tide is when high tides are lower than What is a neap tide, and how normal and low tides are higher than normal. is it caused? This happens when the Sun is at a right angle to the Moon and Earth. The gravity of the Sun pulls water away from the tidal bulges. Earth, Moon, and Sun Text Read to Understand Questions (pg. 18-19) – “What Causes Eclipses?” Text Question Answer When can a lunar eclipse be seen on Earth? A lunar eclipse can be seen only during a new Moon when the Moon is between Earth and the Sun. When can a solar eclipse be seen on Earth? A solar eclipse can be seen only during a new Moon when the Moon is between Earth and the Sun. How can the Moon block our The Moon is 400 times smaller than the Sun, view of the Sun, which is but it is also 400 times closer to Earth than much larger? the Sun. This makes the Sun and Moon look a about the same size to us.