Earth Patterns, Cycles & Changes SOL 4.7 motion of the earth, moon, & sun cause of Seasons & Phases of the moon relative size, position, age and makeup of Earth, Sun, & Moon Historical Contributions of this System

Motion of the Earth, Moon, & Sun The Earth completes one revolution around the sun every 365 days. The moon revolves around the Earth about once every month.

Seasons “Due to its axial tilt, the Earth experiences seasons during its revolution around the sun.” The direct light from the sun creates warmer weather. The indirect light from the sun creates cooler weather

Phases of the Moon “The phases of the moon are caused by its position relative to the Earth and the sun. The phases of the moon include the new waxing crescent first quarter waxing gibbous full waning gibbous last quarter waning crescent.”

Relative Size, Position, Age and Makeup of Earth “The Earth is one of nine planets that revolve around the sun and comprise the solar system. The Earth, the third planet from the sun, is one of the four rocky inner planets. It is about 150 million kilometers from the sun.” or about 93 million miles from the sun Earth is about 8,000 miles around (diameter)

Relative Size, Position, Age and Makeup of Sun “The sun is an average-sized yellow star, about 110 times the diameter of the Earth. The sun is approximately 4.6 billion years old.” Does not move its location 869,959 miles around (diameter)

Relative Size, Position, Age and Makeup of Moon “Our moon is a small rocky satellite, having about one-quarter the diameter of the Earth and one-eightieth its mass. It has extremes of temperature, virtually no atmosphere, no water, and no life.” and little gravity

Historical Contributions of this System “The Earth is a geologically active planet with a surface that is constantly changing. Unlike the other three inner planets, it has large amounts of life-supporting water and an oxygen-rich atmosphere. The Earth’s protective atmosphere blocks out most of the sun’s damaging rays and heat.” Earth is the only planet that supports life in our solar system!

Historical Contributions of this System “Our understanding of the solar system has changed from an Earth-centered model of Aristotle and Ptolemy to the sun-centered model of Copernicus and Galileo.” Long Ago people thought that everything revolved around Earth, but in our explorations & observations we have discovered that everything in our solar system revolves around the sun.

Historical Contributions of this System “ The NASA Apollo missions added greatly to our understanding of the moon.” Apollo Rockets went to the moon in the 1960’s. The USA is the only country that has ever landed on the moon!

Historical Contribution of this System “Our understanding of the sun, moon, and the solar system continues to change with new scientific discoveries.” The number of planets keep changing based on new information that is received. Our Solar System and Universe is always growing, moving and changing.