State Standards

(6.11) I understand the organization of our solar system and the relationships among the various bodies that comprise it.

(6.11a) ‍‍(I can describe the physical properties, locations, and movements of the Sun, planets, *Galilean moons, meteors, asteroids, and comets.)

(6.11b) ‍‍(I understand that gravity is a force that governs the motion of our solar system.)

(6.11c) ‍‍(I can describe the history and future of space exploration, including the types of equipment and transportation needed for space travel.)

Test Review Worksheet:

Vocabulary

Solar System - the Sun together with the group of planets that are held by its attraction and revolve around it

Galilean moons - the four largest and brightest moons of Jupiter discovered by Galileo

The Moon - Earth's natural satellite that revolves around Earth from East to West

Sun - the luminous celestial body around which Earth and other planets in our solar system revolve, and receive heat and light

meteoroid - a natural chunk of rock or dust existing outside Earth's atmosphere

meteor - small meteoroid tha burns upon entry of the Earth's atmosphere

comet - consists primarily of ice, dust and rock whose orbit is a long narrow ellipse

asteroid - a piece of rock or metal made up of material similar to that which formed the planets that orbit the Sun

orbit - a curved path followed by a satellite as it revolves around an object in space

satellite - a smaller body that orbits a larger body

artificial satellite - spacecraft that orbits Earth

shuttle - a reusable spacecraft designed to transport people and cargo between Earth and space

probe - an unmanned spacecraft designed to explore the Solar System and transmit data back to Earth

rocket - a spacecraft that gets power from an engine full of chemical propellants

space station - a large artificial facility designed to be occupied for long periods and to serve as a work space to conduct research

gravity - the force responsible for pulling objects toward each other

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Web Resources:

Celestial Objects

NASA Solar System Information

Nine Planets

Solar System & Space Facts

Facts **(click on the planet name for information)**

The Sun as a Star

Planets, Moons, Asteroids, Comets

Gravity

Why don't people fall off the Earth?

Your Weight on Other Worlds

Gravity Simulator - Rocket, Moon, Earth

Phet Gravity and Orbits Simulator

Reference Articles:

SPACE TRAVEL TIMELINE AND HISTORY - Past, Present & Future!