1. Our Solar System
S4E1. Students will compare and contrast the physical attributes of stars, star patterns, and planets.
a. Recognize the physical attributes of stars in the night sky such as number, size, color and patterns.
b. Compare the similarities and differences of planets to the stars in appearance, position, and number in the night sky.
c. Explain why the pattern of stars in a constellation stays the same, but a planet can be seen in different locations at different times.
d. Identify how technology is used to observe distant objects in the sky.
S4E2. Students will model the position and motion of the earth in the solar system and will explain the role of relative position and motion in determining sequence of the phases of the moon.
a. Explain the day/night cycle of the earth using a model.
b. Explain the sequence of the phases of the moon.
c. Demonstrate the revolution of the earth around the sun and the earth’s tilt to explain the seasonal changes.
d. Demonstrate the relative size and order from the sun of the planets in the solar system.

2. How does the Earth and its Moon Move?
The Earth rotates or spins on its axis
It takes 24 hours! That’s why we have day and night
It also revolves or orbits around the sun
A complete revolution takes about 1 year!

3. Seasons Do you know why we experience seasons?
It’s because of the Earth’s tilt!

4. The Moon Why does the moon seem to change?
The moon orbits Earth and it takes about 1 month!
During its orbit, we see reflected light from the sun

5. Moon Phases
As the moon revolves around Earth, we see different phases

6. The Moon
Moon phases on a calendar

7. Solar System
A solar system is a group of objects in space that orbit a star
Objects include: inner and outer planets, dwarf planets, moons, and asteroids
The inner planets are closest to the sun:

8. Solar System The asteroid belt separates the inner and outer planets
The outer planets (gas giants) are farthest from the sun

9. Inner and Outer Planets
Bigger than inner planets
Made up of mostly gases and called the “gas giants”
Many moons
Rings made of dust ice, or rock
Inner Planets
Closest to the sun
Rocky Surfaces
Smaller than outer planets
None has more than 2 moons

11. A glance at our Solar System

12. A star is a huge ball of super heated gases
What is a Star?
A star is a huge ball of super heated gases

13. Studying Stars Scientists study stars to learn about our solar system
Scientists group stars using their similarities and differences

14. Star Color Rising temperature of a star means it is changing color
Star color tells us how hot the star is
They can range from red, to orange-yellow, white, and to bluish white

15. Star Color
Blue Stars are the hottest
Red Stars are the coolest

16. Star Brightness How Bright a star looks depends on
How far it is from Earth

17. Star Size
Dwarfs: Small up to 20 times larger than our sun and up to 20,000 times brighter. Our sun is a dwarf star
Giants: Old and large
Super giants: Older and larger
Virtually non-existent: Used to be other stars but are slowly burning out

18. Our Sun
Our Sun is a star which is also the center of our solar system!
It is the largest object in our solar system
Without it no life on Earth could exist

19. Our Sun Made up of gases, mostly hydrogen and helium
Is a medium sized yellow star
It has medium heat, brightness and size

20. Groups of Stars
A Constellation is a group of stars that make an imaginary picture.
A galaxy is a huge system of gases, dust, and stars.
The universe is everything in space.