Solar+System

=Solar System Objectives=
 * 1) **Planets**  - Develop a chart that communicates the major characteristics of each planet
 * 2) **Star Patterns**  - Use images of the night sky to identify different seasonal star patterns
 * 3) **Star Charts**  - Research a star pattern using a chart

=Solar System Resources=

The Animated Virtual Planetarium Astronomy and Space Exploration (Fact Monster) Astronomy for Kids Astronomy: Our Place in Space (OLogy) Crystals on a String Earth and Space Quiz Earth Sky: Tonight Earth, Sun and Moon (BBC) Examine Earth From A New Perspective (Class Zone) Exploring Planets in the Classroom || Field Guide to the Universe How to Use a Star Map Interactive Night Sky Map The Night Sky on Paper Nine Planets Order It Up: Solar System Edition (Windows 2 Universe) Our Solar System (Kids Astronomy) Planetary Orbits The Planets Planisphere Pluto's Demotion Not a Cause for Classroom Panic (CNN) || The Size Of Our World The Space Hopper Game (Fun Brain) Solar System (Learn English) Solar System (National Geographic) Solar System (National Geographic) The Solar System Space and Astronomy Space Chase (Scholastic) Space Station (PBS) Space Quiz (Scholastic) The Space Quiz Game (Prongo) Star Journey (National Geographic) Super Comet Crosses Earth's Path (Harcourt School) || Using a Naked-Eye Star Map (Sky and Telescope) Using a Star Chart Views of the Solar System (Solar Views) Welcome to the Planets (NASA) Your Sky ||
 * 3D Solar System Simulator (ForgeFX)

=Solar System Vocabulary=

**Axis**- An imaginary straight line on which an object rotates.

**Rotation**- The spinning motion of a body about an axis.

**Orbit**- The path of one object around another object.

**Eclipse**- when one space object blocks the sun from reaching another.

**Revolve**- To travel in a closed path around an object such as Earth does as it moves around the sun.

**Telescope**- Is an instrument that magnifies, or makes larger, distant objects.

**Satellite**- Objects that orbit a planet. These can be natural, such as moons, or artificial, such as communication satellites.

**Space Probe**- one-way space vehicles loaded with instruments to pursue science investigations in space.

**Photosphere-** The visible surface of the sun.

**Corona**- The sun’s atmosphere.

**Sunspot**- A dark spot on the photosphere of the sun.

**Solar Flare-** A brief burst of energy from the sun’s photosphere.

**Solar Wind-** A fast moving stream of particles thrown into space by solar flares.

**Magnitude**- Brightness of stars.

**Main Sequence-** A band of stars that includes most stars of average color, size, magnitude, and temperature.

**Universe-** Everything that exists planets, stars, dust, gases, and energy.

**Galaxy**- Is a group of stars, gas, and dust.

**Light Year-** Is the distance light travels in one Earth year, about 9.5 trillion km.