Our Solar System

6th grade2015-2016

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 short-term 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=1otfxSwaG5g

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnDJ6_XpGfo

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gftT3wHJGtg

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=6jUpX7J7ySo• As moon orbits Earth, parts are shaded-

PHASES• 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 2-

3 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=XI5nBUidKqo&list=PL9BD00C64CF61BF40&index=2

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9UWNBTR6_I