Unit D: Patterns on Earth and in Space
Chapter 3: Planets and Other Objects in Space
Chapter 3 Introduction
Chapter 3, Lesson 1: How Do Objects Move in the Solar System?
Summary
Our solar system is made up of the sun, nine planets and their moons, asteroids, and comets. Each planet revolves in an elliptical orbit around the sun and rotates on its own axis. Click on the button below to watch and interact with a video. |
Chapter 3, Lesson 2: What are the Planets Like?
Summary
The inner planets - Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars - are small and rocky. Four of the five outer planets are gas giants. They are Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Most of the planets have at least one moon. The gas giants also have rings. Click on the button below to watch and interact with a video. |
Chapter 3, Lesson 3: How Do People Study the Solar System?
Summary
A telescope is a device people use to observe distant objects. A refracting telescope uses lenses, and a reflecting telescope uses mirrors to magnify an object. Radio telescopes collect and focus radio waves. The Hubble Space Telescope is an optical telescope in orbit around Earth. Crewed missions and space probes are other ways to study objects in space. Click on the button below to watch and interact with a video. |
Chapter 3, Lesson 4: What are Constellations?
Summary
In the sky, stars form patterns called constellations. Circumpolar constellations appear to circle the poles. Stars and constellations can be used for navigation. Ancient people may have used seasonal constellations as calendars. Click on the button below to watch and interact with a video. |
For Review
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