Astronomy Lesson

The Sun

Information

Open Ended

Why do we need the Sun?

Facts

Distance from the Earth

-93 millions miles away

Location in the Solar System

-center

Temperature

-9941 degree Celsius

How it got its name?

-The sun has had multiple names over the centuries, including the French word "soleil," the Latin term "sol" from the ancient Romans and "helios" from the ancient Greeks. However, after Germany coined the term "sonne," the word translated into English became "sonne" and later just "sun," according to NASA.

Poll

The Sun is a Big Star.

• Yes

• No

More facts about the SUN

• It only appears large because it is so much closer to us.

• It is smaller than most of the stars yet if compared to Earth, it is still very, very big(110 times bigger than the Earth)

• It is not made of rock-(not solid), mostly made up of gas. - 74% H & 24% He, the rest is O, C, Fe and Ne.

• Creates energy by combining H & He - nuclear fusion.

• All planets orbit around it because of the Sun's gravitational pull.- The law of gravity says that smaller objects will be pulled towards larger objects

Multiple Choice

Why do we need the sun?

• It gives us light.

• It keeps us warm.

• It provides energy.

• All of the above

Multiple Choice

Why would you never be able to visit the sun?

• It is too hot.

• It is made of gases.

• It is too small.

• Bothe A and B

Multiple Choice

The sun is __________ than most of the stars in our galaxy.

• stronger

• larger

• smaller

• farther away

Multiple Choice

The sun is mostly made of ___________.

• hydrogen

• helium

• oxygen

• neon

Multiple Choice

The law of ______________ says that smaller objects will be pulled towards larger objects.

• fusion

• gravity

• momentum

• solar system

The Solar System

Fill in the Blanks

What is a Planet?

• A celestial object that orbits a star.

• Is large enoughy that its gravity pulls it into the shape of a sphere.

• Has cleared other objects in its orbital neighborhood.

Terrestrial Planets

(Rocky planets)

The four smaller inner planets are:

1. Mercury

2. Venus

3. Earth

4. Mars

Terrestrial Planets

Mercury

• Closest planet to the Sun

• No moon

• It is named after the Roman god Mercurius (Mercury), god of commerce, messenger of the gods.

Fill in the Blanks

Venus

-2nd planet from the sun.

-No moon.

- It is named after the Roman goddess of love and beauty.

-Twin sister of the Earth.

-Hottest planet

Earth

• 3rd planet from the Sun

• 1 moon

• All of the planets, except for Earth, were named after Greek and Roman gods and godesses. The name Earth is an English/German name which simply means the ground. 

Open Ended

Can you tell me more about the Earth?

Mars

• 4th planet from the sun.

• 2 moons(Phobos and Deimos)

• Red Planet

• In English, Mars carries the name of the Roman god of war.

Open Ended

What separates the Terrestrial Planets and the Next 4 Planets?

Asteroid Belt

-located between Mars and Jupiter

The Gas Giants

-made of gas, have rings

1. Jupiter

2. Saturn

3. Uranus

4.Neptune

Open Ended

Facts about Jupiter