The Sun, Stars and Solar System Objects Beyond the Earth’s Atmosphere

What is the sun?

Sun Safety When studying the sun safety is very important! Write one sun safety rule:

The Sun From the Earth

The Sun and Solar Flare

Sun Facts Makes life on our planet possible by giving us great amounts of light and heat. Contains about 98% of the mass of the entire Solar System. Is just a medium sized star (yellow dwarf). It is about 1.4 million kilometers in diameter.

Sun Facts Is the center of our Solar System. All the planets and other objects orbit around it. Is very gaseous, and made up mostly of hydrogen. Contains dark spots that are known as sunspots.

How is the sun different than other stars?

Stars

Star Facts Are formed initially from gas and dust. They are made mainly of hydrogen gas. Are very hot and give off huge amounts of energy in the form of heat and light. Our Sun is a medium sized star. Are formed initially from gas and dust. They are made mainly of hydrogen gas. Are very hot and give off huge amounts of energy in the form of heat and light. Our Sun is a medium sized star.

More Star Facts Are very far away from Earth. The closest Star is about 23.5 trillion miles away. Are very far away from Earth. The closest Star is about 23.5 trillion miles away. A group of stars that form a star picture is called a constellation. The sky has about 88 constellations.

Constellation Scorpius

Swan Constellation

Orion

Orion

Orion

How is the solar system different than the sun?

The Solar System

Another Look at the Solar System

Solar System

The Solar System Contains the eight planets and other smaller objects such as minor planets, comets, meteoroids and cosmic dust. The first four inner planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars) are relatively small and resemble the Earth in composition (rocky). The next four planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune) are much larger planets and are very gaseous in nature. Pluto is now called a minor or dwarf planet that is far from the sun. Contains the eight planets and other smaller objects such as minor planets, comets, meteoroids and cosmic dust. The first four inner planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars) are relatively small and resemble the Earth in composition (rocky). The next four planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune) are much larger planets and are very gaseous in nature. Pluto is now called a minor or dwarf planet that is far from the sun.

The Solar System Continued All the objects in our Solar System orbit the Sun. It is so big that everything in our Solar System could fit in it many times. Many scientists believe that our Solar System is over 4.6 billion years old. All the objects in our Solar System orbit the Sun. It is so big that everything in our Solar System could fit in it many times. Many scientists believe that our Solar System is over 4.6 billion years old.

Vocabulary Sun Sun Energy Energy Solar energy Solar energy Orbit Orbit Solar system Solar system constellation constellation

Sailing Out to Space I dream of sailing out to space, Upon a yacht of stars. With port holes all along the sides, I'd gaze amazed at Mars. With stars in front and stars behind, And planets far and near, I'd sail my yacht around the rings, Of Saturn with a cheer.