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Key Vocabulary
Key Vocabulary
Vocabulary Definition
Atmosphere
Atmosphere
An atmosphere is the layers of gases surrounding a planet or other celestial body.
An atmosphere is the layers of gases surrounding a planet or other celestial body.
Axis
Axis
An imaginary line around which an object rotates.
An imaginary line around which an object rotates.
Celestial body
Celestial body
Structure that exists in the observable universe.
Structure that exists in the observable universe.
Gravity
Gravity
The force that attracts a body towards the centre of the earth, or towards any other physical body having mass.
The force that attracts a body towards the centre of the earth, or towards any other physical body having mass.
Orbit
Orbit
The gravitational curved trajectory of an object.
The gravitational curved trajectory of an object.
Rotate
Rotate
Move in a circle round an axis or centre.
Move in a circle round an axis or centre.
Sphere
Sphere
A body or space contained under a single surface, which in every part is equally distant from a point within called its center.
A body or space contained under a single surface, which in every part is equally distant from a point within called its center.
Star
Star
Any massive self-luminous celestial body of gas that shines by radiation derived from its internal energy sources.
Any massive self-luminous celestial body of gas that shines by radiation derived from its internal energy sources.
The Earth, Sun and Moon
The Earth, Sun and Moon
Earth
Earth
- The Earth is the only planet that we know that contains life.
- The Earth is spherical.
- It rotates on its axis which causes day and night.
- It takes 365 days for the Earth to orbit the Sun.
- It is the third planet in the Solar System.
Sun
Sun
- The Sun is a star- it is made up of loads of different gases.
- The Sun does not move, all the planets orbit the Sun.
- The Sun is responsible for all life on Earth.
Moon
Moon
- The Moon is classified as a natural satellite.
- The Moon orbits the Earth.
- The Moon takes 27 days to orbit the Earth.
Spherical bodies
Spherical bodies
- The Sun, Earth and Moon are all spherical bodies, despite the myth that the Earth was flat for many years.
- From the picture above, you can see the size comparison of all 3.
- The sun is roughly 110 times bigger than the Earth.
- The Earth is roughly 81 times bigger than the Moon!
The Lunar Cycle
The Lunar Cycle
- The Moon is lit by the Sun. Half of the Moon is lit and half is dark.
- When the dark side of the Moon is facing Earth we cannot see it; this is called a new moon.
- As the Moon starts to orbit Earth we can see more and more of the lit side.
- At various stages in its orbit it is called a crescent moon, a quarter moon and a full moon.
- It is called a full moon when we can see all of the sunlit side of the Moon.
The Solar System
The Solar System
- The Solar System is made up of 8 planets.
- The order of the planets from the Sun are: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus.
- It helps to come up with a mnemonic to remember the order of the planets, for example: My Very Excellent Mother Just Served Us Noodle.
- Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet.
- Earth has 1 moon whilst Jupiter has 4 moons.
Having trouble remembering the order of the Solar System? Watch the video below!
Having trouble remembering the order of the Solar System? Watch the video below!
Think you know it all? Take the quiz!
Think you know it all? Take the quiz!
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