Allison Carr, Kilie Pennington, and Kristina Sims The Solar System Allison Carr, Kilie Pennington, and Kristina Sims

Our Solar System The Solar System is made up of two parts: the inner and outer solar system. The inner planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. The outer planets are Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Inner planets are separated from the outer planets by the Asteroid Belt. There are rocky planets and gas planets. Two parts: inner and outer. Inner and outer are separated by asteroid belt. Rocky and gas planets

The Sun Largest object in the Solar System A star

Mercury Closest planet to the sun Eighth largest planet Rocky surface No moons

Venus Brightest object in the sky except for the Sun and our Moon Sixth largest planet Has gently rolling plains on the surface and is very hot

Earth The only planet that is able to sustain life Has one moon 71% of Earth is covered by water Fifth largest planet

The Moon Second brightest object in the sky after the Sun The only extraterrestrial body to have been visited by humans

Mars Sometimes known as the “Red Planet”. Has two moons Seventh largest planet Has craters and mountains, including the largest mountain in the Solar System named Olympus Mons.

Asteroid Belt The region between the inner and outer planets. Contains thousands of asteroids Many are visible with the binoculars or small telescopes.

Jupiter The largest planet in the Solar System Has four moons Known for the Great Red Spot on its surface Has rings, but they are very faint.

Saturn Has rings Second largest planet Has 53 named moons When observing Saturn through a telescope, it seems squished because it does not have a rigid structure.

Uranus First planet discovered in modern times Has rings Blue in color Has 27 moons Third largest planet

Neptune Blue in color Has rings Has 13 moons Fourth largest planet

Pluto? Pluto used to be our ninth planet. Pluto was the farthest planet from the Sun and was also the smallest planet in our Solar System. Scientists decided to remove Pluto’s “planet status” and it is now considered a dwarf planet. Pluto’s and Neptune’s orbits actually cross and sometimes Neptune is behind Pluto.

Missed Conception FACT #35 Earth’s Moon gives off light on its own. That is how we can see it at night. 1. Why do you think that some people may think that the Moon gives off light on its own? 2. How would you explain the correct answer to someone that did not understand? Do you think your explanation would persuade someone to change their mind? 3. Have you ever had a similar Missed Conception at any time in your life? Do you think that you might still hold on to your previous ideas or parts of them? How and/or why has your thinking changed or not changed?

Resources www.nineplanets.org www.kids.nineplanets.org Science Formative Assessment textbook