Our Solar System
6th grade
2015-2016
Patterns of apparent motion
of the Sun, the Moon, and
stars in the sky can be
observed, described,
predicted, and explained
with models. (MS-ESS1-1)
Models of the solar system can explain
eclipses of the Sun and the Moon. Earth’s
spin axis is fixed in direction over the shortterm but tilted relative to its orbit around
the sun. The seasons are a result of that tilt
and are caused by the differential intensity
of sunlight on different areas of Earth
across the year. (MS-ESS1-1)
Earth’s movement is constant!
• Earth’s orbit
– Sun is at the center
– Orbit: movement of an object around another
• ex: Earth orbits the Sun.
– Elliptical: oval shaped
– Revolution: 1 full orbit of Earth around Sun.
• Takes 365+ days [1 year]
Orbital Movement
Day vs. Night
• Earth spins on axis
– Axis: imaginary line that runs thru center of planet
from geographic N to S pole
• Tilted
• Rotation: one full spin of Earth on its axis.
Takes 24 hours [1 day]
– Causes day and night; depends on which
hemisphere is facing Sun
Seasons
• Seasons: changes in weather and amount of
daylight
• Different for which hemisphere you live in
• Due to Earth’s orbit, rotation and axis
• http://youtu.be/RIBNgx2hlyU
Seasons
• https://www.brainpop.com/science/weather/
seasons/
Our Marvelous Moon
Our Moon
•
•
•
•
Our closest neighbor- 384,000 km
Much smaller than Earth
No atmosphere
Revolution around Earth = 29.5 days
The Moon and Tides
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1otfxSwa
G5g
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnDJ6_X
pGfo
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gftT3wHJ
Gtg
Tides
• Low and high tides
– Approximately 6.5 hours each
• Tidal forces (gravity caused by Moon and Sun)
– Distance!!
• Sun causes super low and super high tides
– Neap tides: right angle
– Spring tides (full or new Moon)
• Solar eclipse: E M S
• Lunar eclipse: S E M
Phases of the Moon
• Reflecting light from Sun
• Synchronous rotation or tidal locking
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jUpX7J7
ySo
• As moon orbits Earth, parts are shadedPHASES
• Phases created by changing angles (positions)
of Earth, Moon and Sun
Lunar Phases
• New Moon
– Moon orbiting between Earth and Sun
– Side facing Sun is turned away from Earth – hardly
visible
Crescent Moon
• WAXING – appearing
• WANING – disappearing, goes away
• Sliver of Moon
Quarter Moon
• ½ of the visible surface is lit
• WAXING – first 1/4
• WANING- 3/4
Gibbous Moon
• Larger than 1/2
• WAXING
• WANING
Full Moon
•
•
•
•
2 weeks from the New Moon
Earth is between Moon and Sun
BRIGHT
Blue Moon – 2 full Moons in a month; every 23 years
Lunar Eclipse
• When the moon passes directly into Earth’s
shadow S E M
• Moon turns a reddish color due to sunlight
reflected from Earth’s atmosphere
• Causes super high/low tides
Solar Eclipse
•
•
•
•
Only occurs at time of New Moon; March 9, 2016
E M S
Causes super high/low tides
There are actually two types of shadows:
the umbra is that part of the shadow where all
sunlight is blocked out. The umbra takes the
shape of a dark, slender cone. It is surrounded by
the penumbra, a lighter, funnel-shaped shadow
from which sunlight is partially obscured.
Moon Rock!!
•
•
•
•
http://youtu.be/WArvitCA1j0
http://youtu.be/HkvlrWpsnuQ
http://youtu.be/45YpVDTv0oI
http://youtu.be/9WwRSdX8g_s
The Planets
The Planets
• Travel in elliptical orbits around Sun
• Rocky (Terrestial) Planets
– Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars
• Gas (Gas Giants/ Jovian)Planets
– Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
Planets and Dwarf Planets
•Formal definition (IAU General Assembly –Prague, 2006):
–Planet: A natural celestial body that
(a) is in orbit around the Sun
(b) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to assume hydrostatic
equilibrium (nearly round shape)
(c) has cleared the neighborhood around its orbit
(d) is not a satellite (moon)
–Dwarf Planet: A natural celestial body that
(a) is in orbit around the Sun
(b) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to assume hydrostatic
equilibrium (nearly round shape)
(c) has notcleared the neighborhood around its orbit
(d) is not a satellite (moon)
–Small Solar System Bodies:
•All other objects (except natural satellites) orbiting the sun
Planets and Dwarf Planets of the
Solar System
The Inner Rocky Planets
• Mercury
– HOT, Metal core, rocky crust, no moons, 1 day=59
E days
• Venus
– Same size as E, no moons, toxic, 1 day=243 E days
The Inner Rocky Planets
• Earth (E)
– Atmosphere (Nitrogen and Oxygen), 75% covered
in water
• Mars
– Crust, mantle, core (like E), 2 moons, tallest mnt.,
1 day=24.4 E hours
– Liquid water!!
Our Future Vacation Spot?
The Outer Gas Planets
• Jupiter
– Largest, no solid surface, 60+ moons
– 1 day = 10 Earth hours
• Saturn
– Mostly Hydrogen, rings of ice, 60+ moons,
– 1 day = 10 Earth hours
The Outer Gas Planets
• Uranus
– Blue/green, rocky core/ ice mantle, gas
atmosphere, 27 moons, axis towards Sun
– 1 day = 17 Earth hours
• Neptune
– Mostly H and He, 13 moons
– 1 day = 16 Earth hours
Planet Rock!!
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XI5nBUid
Kqo&list=PL9BD00C64CF61BF40&index=2
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9UWNB
TR6_I