2. Visit to the Solar System Renae Downs 4 th Grade

3. INTRODUCTION Although we live in a very small piece of the Universe, it's still where we call home and it's a very interesting place. The nine planets that make up our Solar System range from very tiny rocky planets to huge gas giants featuring fascinating ring systems. Enjoy your exploration of our neighbors.

4. Our Dynamic Sun The sun is a star. It is the only star in our solar system. It is a huge, hot ball of gases. It is the center of our solar system and all the planets revolve around it.

5. Question 1: The sun is a A. Star B. Huge, hot ball of gas C. The center of our Solar System D. All of the above A. B. C. D.

6. Oops! Look again! Click on the question mark to review about our Sun.

7. WOW!!! YOU REALLY DID WELL!!! Click here for more great planet facts.

8. Order of the Planets Mercury My Venus very Earth excellent Mars mother Jupiter just Saturn sat Uranus under Neptune new Pluto pines.

9. Nine Planets Click on a planet to go to WELCOME TO THE PLANETS.

10. The Earth’s Moon The moon looks big because it is closer to Earth than stars and planets. It makes no light of its own but reflects the light of the sun. “Moon” means natural satellite. Earth has only one. The moon appears in various phases as it revolves around the Earth.

11. Question 2: True or False The moon makes no light of its own but reflects the light of the sun. » TRUEFALSE

12. GREAT!!! CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

13. Oops! Look again! CLICK HERE TO REVIEW THE MOON.

14. Asteroids, Comets, and Meteoroids andMeteoroids Asteroids are large pieces of rock, or rock and metal. Most asteroids orbit the sun between Mars and Jupiter in the “Asteroid Belt.” Comets are oval-shaped chunks of dirty ice with a “tail” of glowing gases. Occasionally, comets come into view. Meteoroids are smaller chunks of dust or rocks. As they near the Earth’s atmosphere, they burn up leaving a streak of light called a meteor, or a shooting star.

15. Question: 3 Most asteroids orbit the sun between ________and_________ in the “Asteroid Belt.” Mars, Earth Jupiter, Saturn Mars, Jupiter

16. ALMOST, TRY AGAIN!!! CLICK HERE TO REVIEW AND THEN TRY THE QUESTION AGAIN.

17. YOU ARE AWESOME!!! You are ready to move on, click here!!

18. Question 4: Meteoroids burn up leaving a streak of light called a meteor, or a what? Shooting Star Comet Asteroid Belt

19. Great Job!!!

20. OOPS!!! Meteoroids are smaller chunks of dust or rocks. As they near the Earth’s atmosphere, they burn up leaving a streak of light called a meteor, or a shooting star.

21. Stars Stars are grouped in galaxies, each of which contains billions of stars. Our solar system is a tiny part of the Milky Way galaxy. Patterns of stars are called constellations. The Big Dipper is a famous one.

22. Question 5: Patterns of stars are called constellations… Milky Way Constellations Big Dipper A C B

23. GREAT !!! Click here to complete your tour!

24. That’s alright, try again. Click Here->

25. SpaceSpace Places Space Museums and Websites Astronomy for kids Norad Santa Tracker Huntsville Space And Rocket Center Print out This great Activity, turn It in for extra Points.