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Astronomy Word Search Post-program activity copypage Astronomy GRADE LEVEL: 4th Find these 16 words in the block of letters on the left: T E L E S C O P E V E N U S E D A U R F E S P I L C E O T J T C I W C C L S B S O U I O M N U H O E O U O E T U L A E M R W M A J N L Y U A L N R R I U E K J S S E L T E R C A R A Sandy Creek Nature Center 205 Old Commerce Rd. Athens GA, 30607 706-613-3615 T M T W J T P P T I U T U R T A L U D U E R A T R V R H A U S N A Z P L S O Y U O A O T U F F N R I L B N N E N Z R S Y Z K O X T A O U T O T E B G Y J W R K E T O E S K M L I S U U D T T R I M S R A M Y T L L J J S X M O Y X A L A G T C B W A A V K N P L A N E T B E S ASTRONAUT ASTRONOMY COMET CONSTELLATION EARTH ECLIPSE GALAXY GRAVITY JUPITER MARS MERCURY METEOR MOON NEPTUNE ORBIT PLANET PLUTO SATELLITE SATURN STAR SUN TELESCOPE URANUS VENUS CONCEPTS: 1. There are eight planets in our solar sytem. All planets experience rotation and revolution. 2. These eight planets vary greatly in their sizes, distances from the Sun, and physical composition. 3. The moon displays different shapes (phases) due to the amount of sunlight reflected from the lunar surface. 4. Throughout history, humans have grouped together stars to form constellations and created stories to accompany them. OBJECTIVES: Students will be able to: 1. Name the eight planets of our solar system in order and their compositions. Explain why Pluto is not a main planet anymore. 2. Understandhow the tilt of the Earth gives us varied seasons. 3. Understand the phases of the moon. 4. Identify some common winter constellations and the stories associated with them. Astronomy with StarLab Our program “Astronomy with StarLab” will introduce students to a variety of constellations in the night sky and discuss some of the myths that surround them. Additionally, we’ll discuss the nine planets of our solarsytem, planetary motion, phases of the moon, and other interplanetary phenomona such as comets, asteroids and moons. Suggested pre-program activities: 1. Review the planets of our solar sytem and their order and distances from the Sun. 2. Review the concepts of planetary rotation and revolution. Explain that the Earth takes 24 hours to completely rotate once on its axis and it is this rotation that gives us day and night. Also discuss that it takes the Earth 365 days to complete on revolution around the Sun. The tilt of the Earth as it revolves around the Sun creates the different seasons on our planet. 3. Discuss constellations. Review some of the more commonly known constellations such as Ursa Major and Minor, Cassiopeia, Sagittarius and Orion and the mythological stories associated with them. 4. Urge students to go outside after dark to view the stars from their own yards. Have them draw what they saw and bring in their drawings to class the next day to discussand attempt to identify what they saw. 5. Have students go outside each night for a week and draw the shape of the moon. At the end of the week, use the drawings and discuss how the lighted area of the moon changes shape according to moon’s positon in regard to the Earth and Sun. 6. Scan through local newspapers and cut out and discuss any stories relating to space exploration and astronomy. 7. Have each student design his/her own Mars Exploration Colony. Make sure that they include all items that would be necessary to survive in a hostile environment such as the Martian surface (i.e. breathable air, food, water, insulating clothing, communication equipment, first aid, energy sources, etc.). Post-program activities: Use the attached math problems, crossword puzzle, word search and reading passage to reinforce the terms and ideas covered during your StarLab visit. Answers: Crossword Puzzle Across: 3. mercury, 6. leo, 9. supernova, 10. black hole, 11. jupiter, 12. milky way, 13. neptune, 15. venus, 17. cassiopeia, 19. comet, 20. craters, 22. sun, 24. gravity, 25. gemini, 27. pluto; Down: 1. telescope, 2. armstrong, 4. sputnik, 5. constellation, 7. mars, 8. polaris, 14. moon, 16. saturn, 18. astronomy, 21. eclipse, 22. star, 23. orion, 26. earth. Math Problems 1) b. Jupiter, 2) d. Pluto, 3) b. Venus, 4) c. 342 million miles, 5) d. 9,800 Post-program activity copypage Post-program activity copypage Astronomy Crossword Puzzle Directions: Look at the table of information and circle the correct answer to each question. Across 3. This planet is closest to the sun. 6. This constellation represents a fierce lion who was fought by Hercules. 9. A gigantic explosion caused by the collapse of a large, massive star. 10. A massive, collapsed star that has such enormous gravity that nothing - not even light - can escape its pull. 11. The largest of all the planets in our solar system, this planet has a large storm which resembles a “Great Red Spot.” 12. The name of the galaxy where our solar system is located. 13. This blue, gas giant planet is named after the Roman god of the oceans. 15. The hottest planet in our solar system due to its thick atmosphere and closeness to the sun. 17. This constellation represents the beautiful queen of Ethiopia who angered the god Poseidon. 19. A small object - made of ice, frozen gas and dust - that orbits the sun. 20. These depressions in the ground are caused by collisions with meteorites. There are a lot of them visible on the surface of the moon. 22. All planets in our solar system revolve around this star. 24. The force that attracts objects to each other. 25. This constellation represents the twin brothers Castor and Pollux. 27. This dwarf planet is both the the farthest from the sun. Vocabulary armstrong earth astronomy eclipse black hole gemini cassiopeia gravity jupiter comet constellation leo mars craters mercury milky way moon orion neptune polaris pluto saturn sputnik star sun supernova telescope venus Planetary Math Problems Pla ne t Le ngth of D a y ( Rota tion) Le ngth of Re volution ( 1 or bit a r ound s un) A ve r a ge D is ta nc e fr om the Sun Me rcury 5 9 da y s 8 8 da y s 3 6 mi l l i on mi l e s Ve nus 2 4 3 da y s 2 2 5 da y s 6 7 mi l l i on mi l e s E a rth 2 4 hours 3 6 5 da y s 9 3 mi l l i on mi l e s Ma rs 2 4 . 5 hours 6 8 7 da y s 1 4 2 mi l l i on mi l e s Jupi te r 1 0 hours 1 2 ye a rs 4 8 4 mi l l i on mi l e s S a turn 1 1 hours 2 9 ye a rs 8 9 0 mi l l i on mi l e s Ura nus 1 3 to 2 4 hours 8 4 ye a rs 1 bi l l i on 7 8 0 mi l l i on mi l e s Ne ptune 1 8 hours 1 6 5 ye a rs 2 bi l l i on 7 9 0 mi l l i on mi l e s Pl uto 6 da y s 2 4 8 ye a rs 3 bi l l i on 6 6 0 mi l l i on mi l e s 1. Which planet has the shortest day (rotation)? a. Venus c. Neptune b. Jupiter d. Pluto 2. Which planet takes the longest to complete one revolution (orbit) around the sun? a. Mercury c. Uranus b. Earth d. Pluto Down 1. The lenses of this instrument are used to magnify far away objects. 2. The last name of the first human to walk on the surface of the moon. 4. The first artificial satellite to orbit the earth. It was launched in 1957. 5. A group of stars grouped together by humans to create a picture. 7. This red planet is named after the Roman god of war. 8. Another name for the North Star. 14. A natural satellite that orbits a planet. 16. This second largest planet has a beautiful ring system. 18. The study of the universe. 21. This happens when the moon passes between the earth and sun and blocks sunlight from reaching the earth. 22. A hot, rotating ball of gas that creates its own light through fusion. 23. This winter constellation represents a great hunter. 26. The third planet from the sun, this our home. 3. Which planet’s day (rotation) is longer than its year (revolution)? a. Mercury c. Mars b. Venus d. Saturn 4. Assuming that both planets are lined up on the same side of the sun, what is the average distance between Mars and Jupiter? a. 10 million miles c. 342 million miles b. 142 million miles d. 484 million miles 5. If you were riding in a spaceship traveling 5,000 miles per hour, how long would it take you to travel the 49 million miles between the Earth and Mars? a. 150 hours (~6 days) b. 490 hours (~20 days) c. 980 hours (~41 days) d. 9,800 hours (~408 days)