Download Perspectives of the Earth, Moon and Sun

topic: Earth, Moon and Sun
activity: Perspectives of the Earth, Moon and Sun
Students explore the Earth, Moon and Sun.
Suggested time: 65 minutes
Summary of Key Learning Points
Students:
- learn that there are billions of galaxies in the universe
- realize we belong to a spiral galaxy called the Milky way, which contains billions of stars and revolves
around the central point
- know that our solar system consists of a star, eight planets and numerous other smaller objects
- learn that Earth is the 3rd planet from the Sun; it revolves around the Sun and the Moon revolves around
the Earth, which also rotates
- observe that the rotation of Earth, combined with its revolution around the Sun, produces many natural
phenomena
- discover that in a solar eclipse the Moon comes between the Earth and the Sun, while in a lunar eclipse the
Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon
Perspectives of the Earth, Moon and Sun (Page 1)
5 minutes
Students look at the Hubble Deep Field view, which shows an area one 24-millionth of the sky. It shows a
huge number of galaxies (about 3000), including very young galaxies. This image has provided astronomers
with a wealth of important information. It should give students some idea of how insignificant our solar
system is when compared to the rest of the universe.
Answer:
galaxies (Inquiry point 1)
Extension activity: Show students 'powers of ten' from IMAX film Cosmic Voyage.
Perspectives of the Earth, Moon and Sun (Page 2)
5 minutes
This page discusses the Hubble telescope. Discuss with students how our understanding of the solar system
and the universe has changed as a result of telescopes.
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topic: Earth, Moon and Sun
activity: Perspectives of the Earth, Moon and Sun
Talking point: What advantages do space-based telescopes like Hubble offer over land-based telescopes?
Perspectives of the Earth, Moon and Sun (Page 3)
5 minutes
This page talks about our place in the galaxy, the Milky Way.
Perspectives of the Earth, Moon and Sun (Page 4)
5 minutes
This next page shows the solar system. Discuss with students the role of gravity in our solar system.
Stars, planets and satellites (Page 5)
5 minutes
Students consider what the Earth, Moon and Sun are made of and also how different astronomical objects
are defined. They sort a series of celestial objects into whether they are stars, planets or satellites.
Answers: (Inquiry point 2)
Stars: Sun
Planets: Earth, Venus, Mercury
Satellites: Moon
Talking point: Talk about what lies beyond Neptune and also discuss Pluto's demotion from planet to dwarf
planet. It is interesting to look at the IAI definitions for planet and dwarf planet. Recall mnemonics for
remembering the order of planets, for example My Very Eccentric Mother Just Served Us Noodles.
Earth, Moon and Sun (Page 6)
5 minutes
Students are reminded that the Earth both rotates on its axis and revolves around the Sun.
Suggested answer:
We can't feel the rotation of the Earth because everything around us is travelling at the same speed. It is a
bit like being on an aeroplane. The plane is going really fast but because everything on it is moving at the
same speed you don't experience the true speed. (Inquiry point 3)
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topic: Earth, Moon and Sun
activity: Perspectives of the Earth, Moon and Sun
Talking point: Why would the rotation of the Earth look like it is going in different directions, depending on
what hemisphere you are in, and how does that relate to the Coriolis effect? Think about flushing toilets or
any water going down a drain.
Perspectives of the Earth, Moon and Sun (Page 7)
5 minutes
Students then order astronomical objects from largest to smallest.
Answer: (Inquiry point 4)
Universe, galaxy, solar system, Sun, Earth, Moon
Extension activity: Get students to order some astronomical objects according to size.
Perspectives of the Earth, Moon and Sun (Page 8)
5 minutes
Students think about the different types of phenomena produced by Sun, Earth and Moon interactions.
Perspectives of the Earth, Moon and Sun (Page 9)
5 minutes
Here students focus on eclipses. Find out what students already know about eclipses before progressing.
Students watch videos showing the two eclipse types.
Perspectives of the Earth, Moon and Sun (Page 10)
5 minutes
Students read about solar eclipses and answer a question.
Suggested answer: (Inquiry point 5)
No, not everyone in the world can see a solar eclipse happening at the same time. It depends on the position
of the Sun and also the angle they are observing it at. For example, some people may not see the eclipse at
all, some may see a total eclipse while others will only see a partial eclipse. It also depends on the weather.
Clouds will hide the eclipse.
Perspectives of the Earth, Moon and Sun (Page 11)
5 minutes
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topic: Earth, Moon and Sun
activity: Perspectives of the Earth, Moon and Sun
More about solar eclipses.
Talking point: Talk about viewing eclipses safely. Every time there is a solar eclipse, people turn up the
next day at their doctor's surgery with retinal damage. Why is this? Why are lunar eclipses safe to view with
the naked eye but not solar eclipses?
Perspectives of the Earth, Moon and Sun (Page 12)
5 minutes
This page explains lunar eclipses.
Earth, Moon and Sun (Page 13)
5 minutes
The final animation shows the student's avatar 'watching' an occurring eclipse from multiple angles. They are
then asked to identify which eclipse has occurred based on the visual evidence.
Answer: (Inquiry point 6)
This is a solar eclipse because the Moon is passing in front of the Sun and casting a shadow on the surface
of the Earth.
Suggested completion levels
Basic - Inquiry points goal = 3
Students at this level will: recall that Earth is part of the Milky way galaxy; identify that Earth is one of many
planets in our solar system; understand that the Earth revolves around the Sun and the Moon revolves
around the Earth.
Core - Inquiry points goal = 5
Students at this level will: recall that Earth is part of the Milky way galaxy which is one of billions of galaxies
in the universe; recall that Earth is one of eight planets in our solar system, along with a sun and many other
smaller objects; understand that the Earth revolves around the Sun and the Moon revolves around the Earth
and apply this to understanding the occurrence of familiar phenomena on Earth; identify the difference
between a solar and lunar eclipse.
Core - Inquiry points goal = 6
Students at this level will: recall that Earth is part of the Milky way galaxy which is one of billions of galaxies
in the universe; recall that Earth is one of eight planets in our solar system, along with a sun and many other
© IntoScience 2014. This sheet may be reproduced for classroom use
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topic: Earth, Moon and Sun
activity: Perspectives of the Earth, Moon and Sun
smaller objects; understand that the Earth revolves around the Sun and the Moon revolves around the Earth
and apply this to understanding the occurrence of familiar phenomena on Earth; understand the difference
between solar and lunar eclipses and their causes.
© IntoScience 2014. This sheet may be reproduced for classroom use
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