Collisions in Our Solar System

MS-ESS1-3. Analyze and interpret data to determine scale properties of objects in the solar system.MS-ESS1-4. Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence from rock strata for how the geologic time scale is used to organize Earth’s 4.6-billion-year-old history.

Learning Target

Students will learn about other evidence that exists of past collisions in our solar system.

Success Criteria

I can recognize that other planets have had impacts.
I know about the impacts of collisions on other planets in the solar system.

Questions to Ponder

Have any other planets in our solar system had collisions with comets or meteors?
What has been the results of impacts on other planets?

Jupiter Comet Impact!

When comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 crashed into Jupiter it had a massive impact, not only on the planet but on the scientific community.

PBIS Astronomy Text

Read page 50-55 in the PBIS Astronomy Text.
As you read, take notes about impacts in the solar system.

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When Shoemaker-Levy 9 hit Jupiter, the impacts caused many changes. Describe the impacts and the changes.
The impact of the comet and Jupiter was the first to be predicted by scientists. Why do you think impacts with Jupiter may not have been observed or recorded before? What do you think happened to the evidence of the collisions?
How was the impact with Jupiter different from impacts that have occurred on Earth or the Moon?

Rock Star and Comet Hunter

For many of us Brian May is, for many good reasons, a legend. Founder and guitarist of the epic rock band Queen, Brian also attained a PhD in Astrophysicist and co-founded Asteroid Day in 2014. Asteroid Day “is a global awareness campaign where people from around the world come together to learn about asteroids, the impact hazard they may pose, and what we can do to protect our planet, families, communities, and future generations from future asteroid impacts”

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