1. Exploring our Solar System
P2f part 1

2. Objectives In this lesson we should learn:
about the bodies in space that make up the Universe
why planets and moons stay in orbits
about the planets in our Solar System, producing a model of the Solar System

3. Outcomes
Foundation Paper
You should now be able to..
Know that: Earth is one of a number of planets that orbit the Sun: the Moon orbits Earth; Earth orbits the Sun and the relative positions of Earth, Sun and planets
Know that the Universe consists of: stars and planets, comets and meteors, black holes, large groups of stars called galaxies
Describe why stars can be seen even though they are far away
Describe that gravitational force determines the motion of planets and satellites
Higher paper
Know the relative positions of planets, stars, comets, meteors, galaxies and black holes
Know that circular motion requires a centripetal force and that gravity provides the centripetal force for orbital motion

4. The Universe Can you put them in order of size? Star Meteor Sun Moon
Planet
Galaxy
Universe
Earth
Asteroid
Can you put them in order of size?
Cluster

5. Universe

6. Universe Cluster Galaxy Star and Sun Planet and Earth Moon
Our universal address would be:
Weatherhead high School,
Breck road,
Wallasey,
CH44 3HS,
England,
Europe,
Earth,
Sol,
Milky Way Galaxy,
Andromeda Cluster,
The Universe.
Universe
Cluster
Galaxy
Star and Sun
Planet and Earth
Moon
Asteroid
Meteor

7. Galaxies

8. 3 Types of Galaxies
Elliptical – oval shaped, no arms, little gas or dust clouds
Spiral – bulging nucleus (the center) with a least two arms that contain great clouds of gas & dust coming out on opposite sides (3/4 of all)
Irregular – stars spread unevenly, no distinct shape, least common

10. Elliptical

11. Spiral

12. Barred Spiral

13. Irregular

14. Black holes
The gravity on neutron stars, white dwarfs and black dwarfs is so strong that it crushes atoms, so the matter in stars is millions of times denser than anything on earth.
A black hole is formed if enough of this dense matter is left behind after a supernova explosion then the gravitational field is so strong that nothing can escape not even light.
Scientists know they exist using x-rays

15. Black Holes

18. Black Holes
The intense gravitational field left when a giant star collapses

19. Satellites Path followed if gravity switched off Pull of gravity
Path followed by satellite
Earth

20. There are TWO main orbits that are useful called POLAR and EQUATORIAL.
Useful orbits
There are TWO main orbits that are useful called POLAR and EQUATORIAL.
POLAR -The orbit is close to the Earth, only just above the atmosphere. With a good camera you can see the headlines on a newspaper!

21. Polar orbits
Because the Earth spins the satellite will ‘see’ every part of the Earth once every 24 hours.
This orbit is used for spy and weather satellites.

22. Equatorial orbits
At the right distance the satellite will take 24 hours to orbit the Earth. Because the Earth is also spinning once each 24 hours the satellite stays above the same place on the Earth all the time. We call this a GEOSTATIONARY orbit.
This orbit is used for communication satellites, like Sky TV.

23. Outcomes
Foundation Paper
You should now be able to..
Know that: Earth is one of a number of planets that orbit the Sun: the Moon orbits Earth; Earth orbits the Sun and the relative positions of Earth, Sun and planets
Know that the Universe consists of: stars and planets, comets and meteors, black holes, large groups of stars called galaxies
Describe why stars can be seen even though they are far away
Describe that gravitational force determines the motion of planets and satellites
Higher paper
Know the relative positions of planets, stars, comets, meteors, galaxies and black holes
Know that circular motion requires a centripetal force and that gravity provides the centripetal force for orbital motion