What is the Solar System?
The Earth is part of a system called the solar system. The solar system is made up of many different parts, but the main parts are the sun, planets, and moons. The solar system includes one sun, eight planets, and many moons. You will learn more about the sun, planets, and moons (especially Earth's moon) in this website.
Did you know there are also other things in the solar system like asteroids and comets? What are they? How big are they and how many are there in our solar system? You will not learn about asteroids or comets on this website but if you want to answer these questions and learn even more about them you can go to this awesome website!
Rotating and Revolving
Two words you will need to know when learning about the solar system are rotate and revolve!
Rotate means to spin in circles (like a top)
Revolve means to move in a circle around something (like a race car driver that drives in circles around a track)
Rotate means to spin in circles (like a top)
Revolve means to move in a circle around something (like a race car driver that drives in circles around a track)
If you are confused don't worry you can ask Ms. Perez or another teacher to demonstrate and you will also see it in action in the video below.
What Revolves Around What in the Solar System?
A long time ago people thought everything in the solar system revolved around the Earth and that the Earth was the center of the universe. This is not true. The solar system is HUGE and the Earth is just one small part of it.
Watch the video below but pause it at 1:25 and observe how small the earth is compared to the Sun. Think about what you just learned about revolving and rotating. Pay close attention to the Sun, moon, and Earth. Read the questions below and write your answers on your handout when you are done watching the video. Feel free to watch the video a second time if you were confused or think you missed some information.
1. If the earth is actually small compared to the sun, how small are humans compared to the sun?
2. For the Sun, Earth and our moon, what is revolving around what? (Is the Sun revolving around the Earth or is the Earth revolving around the Sun? What is the moon revolving around?)
Watch the video below but pause it at 1:25 and observe how small the earth is compared to the Sun. Think about what you just learned about revolving and rotating. Pay close attention to the Sun, moon, and Earth. Read the questions below and write your answers on your handout when you are done watching the video. Feel free to watch the video a second time if you were confused or think you missed some information.
1. If the earth is actually small compared to the sun, how small are humans compared to the sun?
2. For the Sun, Earth and our moon, what is revolving around what? (Is the Sun revolving around the Earth or is the Earth revolving around the Sun? What is the moon revolving around?)
Next: Learn about the Sun!