Astronomy (Our Galaxy) S6E1 Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about current scientific

views of the universe and how those views evolved.

A. Ask questions to determine changes in models of Earth’s position in the solar

system, and origins of the universe as evidence that scientific theories change

with the addition of new information.

B. Develop a model to represent the position of the solar system in the Milky Way

galaxy and in the known universe.

C. Analyze and interpret data to compare and contrast the planets in our solar

system in terms of: Size relative to Earth, surface and atmospheric features, relative distance

from the sun, and ability to support life.

D. Develop and use a model to explain the interaction of gravity and inertia that

governs the motion of objects in the solar system.

E. Ask questions to compare and contrast the characteristics, composition and location of

comets, asteroids, and meteoroids.

Term Info Picture

Heliocentric The theory that the sun is the center of the

universe.

Geocentric The theory that the Earth is the center of the

universe.

Universe All of the solar systems, galaxies and matter

that exists.

Galaxy A collection of stars, dust, planets, and rocky

bodies.

Solar System A collection of planets orbiting a star. Our

solar system orbits the sun and contains 8

planets.

Big Bang Theory The theory that the universe started with an

explosion and is still expanding today.

Term Info Picture

Milky Way Galaxy A spiral shaped galaxy that contains

our solar system.

Comet A “dirty snowball” of space, made of

ice, dust and gases.

Kuiper Belt A belt beyond Neptune that is made

up of dwarf planets (including Pluto),

and other astronomical bodies.

Meteor A rocky body in space.

Meteoroid A meteor as it passes through the

atmosphere and burns up.

Meteorite A meteor that hits the ground.

Asteroid A large chunk of iron that is in space.

Asteroid Belt A belt of asteroids between Mars

and Jupiter

Copernicus Developed the Heliocentric theory

Term Info Picture

Gravity The force of attraction between two

pieces of matter due to mass and dis-

tance.

Mercury The planet closest to the sun. It is the

smallest planet and it has no moons.

It’s temperature can be extremely hot

or cold, and it has no atmosphere to

hold in heat.

A terrestrial (rocky) planet.

An inner planet.

Venus The second planet from the sun, Venus

has a very high surface temperature

because of it’s thick atmosphere. Ve-

nus is also called Earth’s Twin, since it is

a similar size.

A terrestrial (rocky) planet.

An inner planet.

Earth The third planet from the sun. The only

planet with liquid water. The only plan-

et that has life that we know of.

Earth is an inner planet/a terrestrial

(rocky) planet.

Mars Mars is the fourth planet from the sun,

and it is the last terrestrial planet. It is

red-colored due to iron in the soil. It has

two moons. Mars is believed to be able

to support life.

Jupiter The largest planet, it is the first of the

gas giants and the fifth planet from the

sun. Jupiter has over 60 moons and a

giant red spot (storm) and faint rings.

Saturn The sixth planet from the sun and a gas

giant, Saturn is known for its rings. Saturn

is the second largest planet.

Uranus The seventh planet from the sun and a

gas giant, Uranus appears blue-green.

It is tilted on it’s side and has rings.

It is very far away from the sun so it has

very low temperatures.

Neptune The last planet, a gas giant that is

greenish-blue in color and has faint

rings. It is very cold and has high winds.

Learning Targets: 1. I can evaluate the geocentric and heliocentric views of our solar system

and explain why views and knowledge have changed over the years.

2. I can describe “Big Bang” as a theory of how the universe began and cite

evidence scientists used to develop that theory.

3. I can describe the sun as the center of our solar system.

4. I can compare and contrast the planets of our solar system in terms of size, atmosphere,

composition, distance from the sun, and ability to support life.

5. I can point out our solar system’s position in the Milky Way Galaxy

6. I can planets of our solar system differ in size, composition (rock or gas), surface and

atmospheric features, and distance from the sun.

7. I can describe the shape of the planets’ orbits and model it.

8. I can identify the planet(s) that can support life.

9. I can compare and contrast comets, meteors and asteroids.

10. I can describe gravity as the force that keeps planets in orbit around the sun and governs the

rest of the motion in the solar system.

Astronomy (Our Galaxy) S6E1 Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about current scientific

views of the universe and how those views evolved.

A. Ask questions to determine changes in models of Earth’s position in the solar

system, and origins of the universe as evidence that scientific theories change

with the addition of new information.

B. Develop a model to represent the position of the solar system in the Milky Way

galaxy and in the known universe.

C. Analyze and interpret data to compare and contrast the planets in our solar

system in terms of: Size relative to Earth, surface and atmospheric features, relative distance

from the sun, and ability to support life.

D. Develop and use a model to explain the interaction of gravity and inertia that

governs the motion of objects in the solar system.

E. Ask questions to compare and contrast the characteristics, composition and location of

comets, asteroids, and meteoroids.

Term Info Picture

Heliocentric

Geocentric

Universe

Galaxy

Solar System

Big Bang Theory

Term Info Picture

Milky Way Galaxy

Comet

Kuiper Belt

Meteor

Meteoroid

Meteorite

Asteroid

Asteroid Belt

Copernicus

Term Info Picture

Gravity

Mercury

Venus

Earth

Mars

Jupiter

Saturn

Uranus

Neptune

Learning Targets: 1. I can evaluate the geocentric and heliocentric views of our solar system

and explain why views and knowledge have changed over the years.

2. I can describe “Big Bang” as a theory of how the universe began and cite

evidence scientists used to develop that theory.

3. I can describe the sun as the center of our solar system.

4. I can compare and contrast the planets of our solar system in terms of size, atmosphere,

composition, distance from the sun, and ability to support life.

5. I can point out our solar system’s position in the Milky Way Galaxy

6. I can planets of our solar system differ in size, composition (rock or gas), surface and

atmospheric features, and distance from the sun.

7. I can describe the shape of the planets’ orbits and model it.

8. I can identify the planet(s) that can support life.

9. I can compare and contrast comets, meteors and asteroids.

10. I can describe gravity as the force that keeps planets in orbit around the sun and governs the

rest of the motion in the solar system.