Unit Summary

Use the following table to review what you have learned in this unit.



Questions

Summary


  1. What does studying the sky teach us about the Sun and the stars?

      2. 1.1 How can we learn safely about objects in the sky?

      1.2 What patterns can be seen in the stars?

      1.3 What can we learn about the movement of objects (Sun, stars, planets, moon) in the sky by observing them?

  • NEVER look directly at the Sun.
  • Many devices can be used to study the sky including telescopes and various kinds of space probes.
  • Stars can be found in predictable groupings called constellations.
  • The appearance and position of these constellations can change because of the orbit and rotation of the Earth.
  • The movement of the Earth also causes observable changes in the position of the Sun in our sky leading to differences in shadows and seasons.
  • The phases of the moon tell us about the position of the moon as it orbits the Earth.

  1. What makes our solar system unique?

      2. 2.1 What is Earth's place in the universe?

      2.2 How do other planets compare to Earth?

  • Our solar system is just a tiny part of a very large universe.
  • Although planets of our solar system have some similarities, there are many differences.
  • Although moons of other planets and Earth’s moon have some similarities, there are many differences.