Unit 1: Part A
Earth & Moon System
Fundamental Concepts and Skills
SOL’S & Reading
6.8f - Unique
Properties of Earth
Section 1: What makes Earth unique and different from other planets
1. Due to the location in the solar system the Earth has many unique characteristics.
2. The atmosphere & the magnetic field help shield the Earth’s surface from harmful solar radiation.
3. The atmosphere consists of many nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%).
ws#33rd Rock from the Sun
ws#5
- Earth’s properties
4. The Earth's is a rocky planet covered with large oceans of liquid water, and having frozen ice caps in
its polar regions.
5. Scientific evidence indicates that the Earth is about 4.5 billion years old.
The Earth is known as “Goldilocks Planet.” Because of its location in the solar system, it is just right for life to exist.
Section 2: Revolution and Rotation
Revolution – to move around
Rotation - The spinning of planets on
(orbit) a central object
The movement of Earth around the
sun is one year.
their axis.
-This impact causes day and night.
Length of one earth day is 24 hrs.
Sol 6.8d Revolution
and Rotation
Notes – Journey thru the
universe ppt.
ws#4 -Rotation and
Revolution Reading
Sol 6.8e Mechanics
of Day and Night
Tilt – When a planet (body) is no longer
ws#12-Core Lab
-Seasons
straight up and down (900) but is at an
angle.
-The Earth’s axis is tilted 23 ½ o (23.5o)
-Cause the seasons.
-Length of day light and darkness varies
throughout the year.
Sol 6.8g Relationship of the
Earth’s Tilt and
seasons
Scrapbook Activity
ws#2 - vocabulary
The ideas of famous scientist contributed to the
development of our understanding of the solar system.
Geocentric Model
Ptolemy, Aristotle
Helocentric Model
Copernicus and Galileo
-Believed Earth was the center of solar system
-Believed Sun was the center of solar system.
Section 3: Moon and its impact on Earth.
-The phases of the moon are caused by its position relative to the Earth and sun.
Tides-Tides are a result of the gravitational pull of the moon and sun on the surface waters of the Earth.
-Together, the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun affect the Earth’s tides on a monthly basis.
-Normal tides that occur every 6 hours (2 high tides and 2 low tides in 24hrs)
Spring Tides - When the sun, moon, and Earth are in alignment (at the time of the new or full moon),
creating extra-high high tides, and very low, low tides — both commonly called spring tides.
Neap Tides - One week later, when the sun and moon are at right angles to each other (Quarter phases)
produces moderate tides known as neap tides.
During each lunar month, two sets of spring and two sets of neap tides occur
Mercer Middle Model
Loudoun County Public Schools
Aldie, VA
ASSESMENT: –Vocabulary Quiz
-Rotation /Revolution / Seasons Test
-Trading Cards / Post Cards Activity
-Moon Phases/Tides Test
Sol 6.8e - The
mechanics of the
moon phases
Sol 6.8h – The
causes of the Tides
ws#6
-Phases of the Moon
ws#7-Tides Reading
-Understanding Tides
Ws#11-Core Lab –
Moon Phases
-Geocentric / Heliocentric Project
-“Other” Space Objects Project
- Please know that these are not all the
assessment. These are the key assessments.
Unit 1 Part B:
Solar System and Astronomy
Fundamental Concepts and Skills
SOL’S & Reading
Gravity in the Solar System:
-Gravity is a attractive force that keeps planets in motion around the sun.
-Gravity acts everywhere in the universe.
-The more massive and closer the objects the more gravitational pull.
-What is the difference between mass and weight?
 Weight is a measure of your mass affected by gravity.
Solar System
-The solar system consists of the sun, moon, Earth and other planets; and their moons, meteors, asteroids,
and comets.
-Each body in space has a unique characteristics and features.
- The distance between planets and sizes of the planets varies greatly.
Outer Planets
- Known as the “Gas Giants.” They also have rings.
- Made of gases and have a low density.
Asteroid Belt- An area between the inner and outer planets consisting of rocky
objects orbiting the sun. Asteroids are too small (less than 448
mi. in diameter) and oddly shaped to be considered a planet.
Inner Planets
-The four inner planets are smaller and rocky. Their iron and nickle cores
allow for magnetic properties.
Dwarf planets – orbit the sun and have enough mass to keep a round shape.
They are generally smaller than Mercury. Pluto’s status as a planet was changed to a dwarf planet.
Planetary MovementPlanets revolve around a sun, the moons revolve around planets. A planet rotates on its axis.
Light Year- The distance light travels through space in one year: 5.88 trillion miles!
Space Exploration
With the development of new technology over the last half-century, our knowledge of the solar system has
increased substantially.
6.8c – Role of
gravity
NASA
Ancient Chinese
Robert Goddard
Laika
Sputnik
Yuri Gagarin
Mercury Space Program
Alan Shepard
John Glenn
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Government Agency).
Developed the first rockets which are now our fireworks.
Created the first liquid fueled rocket in 1923. “Father of Rocketry”
(Dog) First living organism in space. (Russian)
The first artificial satellite placed into space creating the Space Race. (Russian)
The first human in space, a cosmonaut from the (Russia).
America’s first manned missions to space.
The first American launched into space. Part of the Mercury Program.
The first American to orbit the earth. He later became a U.S. Senator and went
back into space aboard the Space Shuttle, becoming the first senior citizen in space!
Valentina Tereshkova
Apollo
Apollo 11 Landing on the
MoonNeil Armstrong and
Buzz Aldrin
Sally Ride
The Space Shuttle-
The first Woman in space, a Russian cosmonaut. (Russia)
The program designed to land astronauts onto the surface of the moon.
July 1969, the first successful landing of humans on the moon using the Saturn V
rocket and Lunar Module.
The first humans on the moon aboard Apollo 11. Armstrong stated, “That’s one
small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
The first American woman in space, riding in the space shuttle.
The first reusable and most complex rocket to ever exist. All of the Space Shuttles
have been retired. Our funding for manned space travel has been transitioned from
government funded to private industry funded.
Mercer Middle Model
Loudoun County Public Schools
Aldie, VA
Core Lab –
Investigation Three
Notes
Sol 6.8a – The sun,
moon, Earth other
planets and their
moons, meteors,
asteroids, and
comets.
Trading card / post
card activity.
“Other” Objects in
space!
Sol 6.8b – Relative
size and distance
between the planets.
Sol 6.8i The history
and technology of
space exploration.
Use notes from class
Ws#4- Space Exploration