Goal: To introduce space science and the subject of astronomy in preparation for Star Lab activities

 Universe  Galaxy  Constellation  Comet  Star  Sun  Planet  Moon What does the term “space” mean? How big is Space? What is in Space?

 Is named Milky Way because of the milky blur made by the many stars that can be seen from earth  Galaxies can be classified into different shapes: elliptical, spiral or irregular.  Milky way is spiral – DEMO  Each branch off of the central spiral is called an “arm”. Our solar system is near the end of an arm.

 A large group of stars that form a pattern in the sky  The constellations are not REAL – they are the imaginary groups that farmers, poets and astronomers have made up over the years.  They help break the sky into parts – so we can identify the various stars.  Why have these been important to man throughout history?

 There are 8 planets in our solar system ◦ Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune ◦ The first four are the “inner planets” – they are terrestrial with rocky surfaces. Venus, Earth and Mars all have atmospheres in which erosion can occur ◦ The last four are “outer planets’ – they are mostly gas and liquids. All of these planets have moons and a ring system.  All of these planets orbit the Sun.

 The sun is the closest star to the earth  The earth orbits around the sun on a elliptical orbit  The position of the earth in the orbit accounts for the changes in the length of the day and the seasons of the year.

 The moon is a satellite of the earth  As the earth orbits around the sun, the moon orbits around the earth.  The lunar cycle is approximately 29 days long.  This cycle accounts for the ocean tides  We only see one side of the moon because of synchronous rotation of the moon. (Youtube)  Phases of the moon -(activity)