Our Place in Space
Our Place in Space
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We live in the Universe, where all things that exist in space.
We live in the Universe, where all things that exist in space.
We are still learning about the universe everyday. Scientists aren't certain of the exact age of the universe, but it's estimated it is around 13 billion years old!
We are still learning about the universe everyday. Scientists aren't certain of the exact age of the universe, but it's estimated it is around 13 billion years old!
Map of the observable Universe.
Space is made of billions and billions of stars, planets, galaxies, and more!
In the universe, we live in a galaxy.
In the universe, we live in a galaxy.
A galaxy is a collection of gas, dust, and billions of stars held together by gravity. Our galaxy is called the Milky Way. It is called that because it looks like a pale swirl in the sky.
A galaxy is a collection of gas, dust, and billions of stars held together by gravity. Our galaxy is called the Milky Way. It is called that because it looks like a pale swirl in the sky.
Milky Way seen from Earth without any light pollution.
In the Milky Way, we live in a solar system.
In the Milky Way, we live in a solar system.
This is where all planets and moons bound to a star by gravity. The star in the center of our solar system is the Sun. We also have 8 planets, 5 dwarf planets, and 214 moons.
This is where all planets and moons bound to a star by gravity. The star in the center of our solar system is the Sun. We also have 8 planets, 5 dwarf planets, and 214 moons.
Life as we know it is a result of the interaction between the Sun, our Moon, and the Earth.
Life as we know it is a result of the interaction between the Sun, our Moon, and the Earth.
Movement in Space
Movement in Space
The movement of Earth and the Moon around the sun causes many special events, let’s take a closer look!
The movement of Earth and the Moon around the sun causes many special events, let’s take a closer look!
Let's compare the axis and tilt on Earth and our nearest neighbor, the Moon.
Let's compare the axis and tilt on Earth and our nearest neighbor, the Moon.
Earth's Axis
Earth's Axis
Tilt of 23°
Tilt of 23°
Day length: 24 hours
Day length: 24 hours
Moon's Axis
Moon's Axis
Tilt of 5°
Tilt of 5°
Day length: 27 days
Day length: 27 days
The sun's changing position in the sky as we rotate causes shadows to change sizes and directions throughout the day!
The sun's changing position in the sky as we rotate causes shadows to change sizes and directions throughout the day!
Shadows are created when light is blocked by an object. They change in size based on the distance and angle of the light source (sun in this case).
Note-The sun rises in the East and sets in the West.
7am
7am
Shadow extends far to the West
Noon
Noon
Shadow extends short to the South
6pm
6pm
Shadow extends far to the East
Shadow Graph
Shadow Graph
This graph shows how the length of a shadow changes as the sun moves through the sky during the day.
The shortest shadow length is at noon when the sun is directly overhead!
Try out being the sun and creating your own shadows in the game below!
Try out being the sun and creating your own shadows in the game below!
Earth and the Moon are constantly rotating around their axis, but that’s not the only movement they are doing in space!
Earth and the Moon are constantly rotating around their axis, but that’s not the only movement they are doing in space!
They are revolving, too!
They are revolving, too!
Revolution is the complete circular motion a space object makes around another object.
Revolution is the complete circular motion a space object makes around another object.
Let's start small!
Let's start small!
The Moon revolves around Earth
The Moon revolves around Earth
The moon has a revolution time that is almost a month long (27 days).
The moon has a revolution time that is almost a month long (27 days).
Looking bigger...
Looking bigger...
The Moon and Earth revolve around the Sun
The Moon and Earth revolve around the Sun
Earth (with the Moon) is also revolving around the sun!
Earth (with the Moon) is also revolving around the sun!
On Earth a year is 365 days, but other planets have different length years because of their orbit size and shape.
On Earth a year is 365 days, but other planets have different length years because of their orbit size and shape.
Now that we know a little about our universe and how objects move in space, let's look at what all this movement does for life on Earth!
Now that we know a little about our universe and how objects move in space, let's look at what all this movement does for life on Earth!
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