1. The History of Astronomy
Planets in our Solar System

2. 6.3D: relate the impact of research on scientific thought and society, including the history of science and contributions of scientists as related to the content A: describe the physical properties, locations, and movements of the Sun, planets, Galilean moons, meteors, asteroids, and comets.
Lesson Objectives
The following TEKS are also addressed.
6.3B: use models to represent aspects of the natural world such as a model of Earth’s layers.
6.3C: identify advantages and limitations of models such as size, scale, properties, and materials.

3. How is the solar system organized?
Guiding Question

4. What did ancient people know and think about planets just from what they could see?
Journal Entry: Think/Share/Write

5. Ancient people could see 5 planets from Earth’s surface without the aid of a telescope.
5 Visible Planets

6. What do the planets look like in the night sky without a telescope?
(Stars)
What do the planets look like in the night sky without a telescope?

7. How do you think ancient people figured out the planets were not stars?
Think/Pair/Share
(Watching patterns of movement across the sky)

8. Think/Pair/Share
What is the difference between the model shown and what we know today about the universe?
To scaffold if needed: What did people used to think was the center of the universe? (Earth)
Why do you think people thought that? (Our perspective was that everything revolved around us. (This is what we can see.)
What is the difference between the model shown and what we know today about the universe?

9. Another example of an Earth-centered Universe model.
Study the diagram at your table. What objects can you identify in this ancient model of the solar system?

10. Earth
Moon
Mercury
Venus
Sun
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
A canopy of stars

11. The Sun is the center of our solar system.
Heliocentrism
Greek root words
Helios – Sun
Kentron - Center

12. Heliocentrism Development- An Overview
3rd Century BC- Aristarchus of Samos
Ancient Greek Astronomer & Mathematician
16th Century- Nicolaus Copernicus
Provided a predictable model
Explained why it appeared as though we were the center of the universe
Tycho Brahe
Revolutionized astronomical instruments
Made series of accurate observations
Heliocentrism Development- An Overview

13. Copernicus Model of Solar System
What additional planets do we know about now that aren’t represented in the model?

14. How is the solar system organized?
Journal Entry: Write/Share/Revise
Students should answer to the best of their ability based on this lesson. Additional planets and models should be provided in future activities.