8-4.1 Celestial Objects in Our Solar System

Learning Objectives Summarize the characteristics and movements of objects in the solar system including planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and meteors. 8-4 The student will demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics, structure and predictable motions of celestial bodies

Celestial BodyUnique CharacteristicPredictable Movement Planets Dwarf planets Moons Asteroids Meteorites Meteors Meteoroid Comets Complete this table and paste it on the right side of your notebook. Draw diagrams for each celestial body on the left side. Photograph the right and left side to TURN IN.

Solar System ViW’s Solar system Orbit Revolution Rotation Planets Terrestrial Axis Natural satellite Moons Asteroids Asteroid belt Comets Elliptical orbit Meteoroids Meteor Meteorite Be sure to draw and define each term in your science notebook

- natural objects visible in the sky Solar System - The Sun together with the eight planets and all other celestial bodies that orbit the Sun Natural satellite – natural object that orbits/revolves around a planet.

Objects in the Solar System Orbit the Sun Earth is one of 8 planets in the solar system that orbit (revolve) around the Sun

Planet Movement Movement of planets is based on revolution around the Sun and the rotation on it’s axis The Earth is revolving around the Sun at approximately 67,000 miles per hour

Revolution vs. Rotation Objects in our solar system have movement: – Revolution (orbit) – move around the Sun or a planet – Rotation – turning/spinning on an axis Each planet in our Solar System rotates on an axis as it revolves around the Sun

This is a photograph was taken over an extended period of time. Stars appear to be streaking across the sky. What is really happening is the Earth is rotating on its axis.

Earth’s Rotation Causes Night and Day on Earth The speed at which the earth spins varies upon your latitudinal location on the planet. If you're standing at the north pole, the speed is almost zero but at the equator, where the circumference of the earth is greatest, the speed of Earth’s rotation is about 1,038 miles per hour!

Draw and Explain the Difference Between Rotation and RevolutionRotation and Revolution RotationRevolution

How does rotation speed effect the length of day on different planets? 1.What planets rotate faster than Earth? 2.What planets have longer day’s than Earth? 3.What planet has the longest day?

Planets orbit the Sun directly Planets have a terrestrial (rocky) surface or a gaseous surface The inner planets Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars are terrestrial The outer planets Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune are gaseous Inner Planets (terrestial) Mercury Venus Earth Mars Outer Planets (large gaseous) Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune

This diagram shows the relative distances of the planets as they revolve around the Sun. Planets do NOT revolve or rotate at the same speeds around the Sun. Planets do NOT revolve around the Sun in a straight line. AU = Astrological Unit which = the distance from the Sun to Earth. i.e. 10 AU = 10 times the distance from the Earth to Sun

How are Objects in the Solar System Characterized? Objects that are found in the solar system have characteristics based on surface features and atmosphere….if there is an atmosphere. The diagram to the right shows the relative size of some planets, moons, and dwarf planets in our Solar System.

Unique Surface Characteristics Characterize Planets Many planets have unique surface characteristics such as color or atmospheric storms Jupiter's great storm Mars The Red Planet

Inner vs. Outer Planets Gaseous outer planets are considerably larger than the terrestrial inner planets Inner planets are smaller and terrestrial Outer planets are larger and gaseous The Sun is 99.99% of the entire mass of our Solar System!

This model of the Solar System shows the relative size and distance of the planets. What is not accurate?

Rings Many planets have rings Some planets have moons. Saturn has 33 moons!

Moons Orbit Planets Most moons are rocky bodies covered with craters, but some have unique characteristics Not all moons are like Earth’s.

Jupiter Moons Jupiter has at least 63 moons!

Moons Revolve Around Planets Some planets have more than one moon. However, not all planets have moons. Moons are studied in relation to the planet they orbit Movement of moons is based on revolution around their planets

Moon’s Revolution Around Earth Creates Appearance of Moon Phases On Earth As the moon revolves around the Earth - different amounts of sunlight hit the moon and reflect back to Earth causing the appearance of the moon changing shape or “phases” in the night sky.

Asteroids Most asteroids are rocky bodies that orbit in a region in the solar system known as the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter There is another asteroid belt near Pluto called the Kuiper belt

Asteroid Movement Movement of asteroids based on their revolution around the Sun in large “belts” located between planets Asteroids also vary in size

Asteroid Impacts are a Real Threat to Earth Some asteroids outside the asteroid belt have orbits that cross Earth’s orbit Scientists monitor the positions of these asteroids.

Comets Comets have a main body or head made up of ices of water, methane and ammonia gas and dust.

Comet Tails Comets have a tail that emerges as the comet gets closer to the sun during its orbit. The tail always points away from the Sun as gases escape. Tail points away from sun

Comets Comets have unique, long, narrow elliptical orbit (oval shaped). Notice the long elliptical orbit of Halley’s comet in the diagram to the right compared to the planets

Halley's Comet will be visible from Earth again in Can you tell which way the Sun is located in this picture?

Meteoroids Meteoroids are chucks of rock that move about within the solar system

Meteors When chucks of rock burn up in a planet’s atmosphere Also known as “Shooting Stars” (maybe they should be called shooting rocks?)

Meteorites When the chunk of rock strikes the surface of a planet or moon.

Meteorite, Meteor, or Meteoroid?

Moons vs. Asteroids

Asteroid vs. Meteoroids

Compare and Contrast Meteoroids MeteorMeteorite

Meteor s Comets Asteroids Moons Planets Generalize major points about characteristics and movements of planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and meteors. Predictable Movements Unique Characteristics

How did our Solar System form? (textbook page 347)

Can You?  Summarize the characteristics of objects in the solar system  Summarize the movement of objects in the solar system  Generalize major points about characteristics and movements of planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and meteors.  Interpret a diagram of the objects in the solar system  Compare objects in the solar system  Classify objects in the solar system based on characteristics  Classify by sequencing planets in order from the sun  Classify planets in order by size  Identify an object in the solar system based on its unique characteristics or movements.

Celestial Body Unique CharacteristicPredictable Movement Planets Dwarf planets Moons Asteroids Meteorites Meteors Meteoroid Comets

Celestial BodyUnique CharacteristicPredictable MovementDrawing/Analysis Planets Dwarf planets Moons Asteroids Meteorites Meteors Meteoroid Comets