Download EARTH IN SPACE

EARTH IN SPACE
Axis-imaginary line from North Pole through the Earth
to the South Pole (Earth is tilted 23.5 degrees)
Rotation-Earth spinning on its axis, takes 24 hours,
causes day and night
Revolution-motion of Earth around the sun, takes
365 ¼ days, causes years
Orbit-the curved path of one object around another
in space (Earth’s is an ellipse)
The tilt of Earth’s axis as it revolves around the
sun causes seasons
Solar system-includes the sun, planets, comets,
meteoroids and all objects that orbit the sun
Other solar systems consist of planets, moons,
etc., which rotate and revolve much like ours
Our solar system is part of the Milky Way, which
is a:
Galaxy-huge collection of stars held together by
the strong gravitational pull of the largest stars
Satellite-an object that orbits a planet (like the
moon!)
Inertia-the tendency of an object to continue its
current path of motion (or to remain at rest)
How do the objects in our solar system stay
in balance?
1. Inertia causes planets to continue their
orbit around the sun
2. The sun is the center, it’s gravitational pull
is keeping all planets from flying out into
space while they revolve around the sun
3. All moons are kept in orbit around their planet
because of the gravitational pull of that planet
4. This balance allows us to accurately predict
tides, eclipses, comet paths, seasons, and
other things
How do objects from space affect organisms
on Earth?
1. The sun gives us radiant energy for heat,
light and photosynthesis
2. The moon’s gravitational pull causes tides,
which affect boat travel and ocean life.
3. The moon phases may affect animal and
human behavior
4. A large asteroid hitting Earth caused
a dust cloud, blocking sunlight which
caused the death of dinosaurs and others
Planets are spherical because, as they formed,
particles stuck together and are attracted to its
center due to gravity.
The moon also has a crust, mantle, and core
Its rotation and revolution are both 27.3 days
Ocean tides-caused by the gravitational pull from
the moon. They follow a pattern, so we know
exactly when and where they occur each day.
Solar eclipse-when the moon passes between
Earth and the sun (the moon blocks the sun)
During a total solar eclipse, the moon blocks the
sun, but we still see light around the moon
Lunar eclipse-when the Earth passes between
the sun and moon (Earth blocks the sun)
During a total lunar eclipse, the
moon appears to be deep red.
Atmosphere-thin layer of air that forms a
protective covering around the planet
1. Balances the heat absorbed from sun and heat
that escapes back into space
2. Protects organisms from sun’s harmful rays
The higher the altitude, the lower the air pressure.
Ozone-layer of oxygen that shields us from harmful
ultraviolet radiation (from the sun’s rays)
CFC’s-(chlorofluorocarbons) substance from aerosol
cans, AC, and refrigerators that destroys the ozone
Greenhouse Effect-some gases in the atmosphere absorb
heat from the sun’s rays and this keeps Earth warm
enough for its organisms
If too many of these gases (carbon dioxide, methane) are
in the atmosphere, global warming can occur
These gases can become more abundant due to burning
fossil fuels (gasoline, coal) or deforestation (destruction
of forests)
Wind-movement of air in the atmosphere,
caused by:
1. Differences in pressure, air moves from areas
of high pressure(cold) to areas of low
pressure(warm)
2. Differences in temperature between equator
and poles
3. Earth’s rotation
4. Warm air rises because it is less dense than
cool air
A is a Sea Breeze (summer) and B is a Land Breeze (winter)
Climate-average weather in an area; classified
by temperature, precipitation, and vegetation
Different types of climatesa) Tropical Climate
b) Arid Climate (dry)
c) Temperate Climate (Kentucky)
d) Continental Climate
e) Polar Climate
Weather-state of the atmosphere at a certain
time and place; determined by temperature and
precipitation
Air Mass-large body of air that has the same
temperature and moisture content as the area
over which it formed (air mass developed over
land is dry; over water is wet; over the tropics
is warm)
Front-boundary between 2 air masses that
have different temperature, density, or moisture