DE Science Elementary “5-Minute Prep” For Space: Our Solar System and Beyond The Solar System Planets in Our Solar System

Planets in Our Solar System – The Big Ideas The solar system includes the sun and the objects that orbit around it: the planet, moons, asteroids and comets, and Kuiper belt objects. Earth is one of eight planets that orbit the sun in predictable paths called orbits. From the ground, planets appear to change their positions in the sky against the background of stars. The planets are roughly spherical in shape and have nearly circular orbits. Most planets have moons that are much smaller than they are.

Planets in Our Solar System – The Big Ideas The inner planets of Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars are small and mostly solid. The outer planets of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are large and made mostly of gases. Between the inner and outer planets is a belt of rocks called asteroids that orbit the sun. Lying beyond the gas giants, the Kuiper belt includes Pluto, Charon, and millions of other rocky objects orbiting the sun. Comets are icy gaseous objects that leave dust trails when their orbits come near the sun.

Planets in Our Solar System – Prior Knowledge Students probably will come with some general background knowledge about many, but not all of the planets. Students may know the names of the planets, but will need instruction on what these planets are composed of, and where they are located in relation to the sun. It would be helpful if students viewed the FUN-damental Your Place In Space before beginning this unit. In addition, it would help students if they: Your Place In Space –Have basic definitions of celestial objects. –Have seen pictures of the planets. –Know the order of the planets from the sun.

Planets in Our Solar System – Common Misconceptions Saturn is the only planet with rings. –Reality: All of the giant planets in our solar system have rings: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Jupiter's ring is thin and dark, and cannot be seen from Earth. Saturn's rings are the most magnificent. Uranus has nine dark rings around it. Neptune's rings are also dark. Giant planets have solid surfaces. –Reality: The giant planets are all made of gas. Planets move at the same speed. –Reality: The speed of the planets varies. Each planet speeds up when it is near the sun and travels more slowly when it is far from the sun. Planets are in arranged in straight line. –Reality: It is impossible for all the planets to form a straight line out from the sun because each planetary orbit is tilted slightly.

Planets in Our Solar System – Using DE Science Content When you close this presentation, you can review the following recommended resources for Planets in Our Solar System. Exploration: Planets in Our Solar System Virtual Lab: Is Anyone Out There? E Book: Little Moons, Big Moons Video: The Inner and Outer Planets Use the PowerPoint version of this presentation for hyperlinks to these resources or you can get to them through the browser or search feature.

Planets in Our Solar System – Instructional Ideas As students watch the Video called The Inner and Outer Planets, they are prompted to consider how the planets are alike and how they are different. –In addition, it would be a good idea to give the students a pack of 10 index cards on a ring. –Each card will contain a planet’s name, with two additional cards for extra information. –As students learn about the planets, they can jot down notes and facts on the cards. Students can read about the different moons in the eBook Little Moons Big Moons. Ask students to calculate the total number of moons in the entire solar system by adding the number of known moons for each planet.

Planets in Our Solar System – Instructional Ideas In the Exploration, students can drag and drop each planet into it’s correct place in the solar system. –They will see animation of the movement of the solar system. –They can also see up close images of the Asteroid belt and the Kuiper belt. –Finally, students can see what it looks like when a comet orbits the sun. –As the students are using the exploration, encourage them to use the index cards they used from the video to add new information. In the Virtual Lab, students will study variables that determine which planets can sustain life. As the students change variables, they will record their results and come to a conclusion. At the end of the activity, students can summarize by explaining which factors or variable contributed to a high likelihood of life, and which factors contributed to a low likelihood of life.

State standards: If you wish to review your state standards about Planets, click here to get to the curriculum standards search feature of DES. You can click on any standard to see what resources are available to teach it. Additional Information: For additional content, check the Extend section within the concept.