Solar System
What does our solar system consist of? Name at least 3 things.
the sun, planets, satellites, asteroids, meteoroids, comets, and other space debris.
Name the largest and smallest planets in the solar system.
Largest: Jupiter
Smallest: Mercury
What is an asteroid?
Asteroids are essentially bits and pieces of space dirt that did not form into planets.
What is a satellite? What are the two types of satellites? Give an example of each.
A satellite is any object that orbits a planet or other celestial body in space.
Types: Natural and Artificial
Name an invention that Canada designed to assist with space exploration.
The Canadarm
What is the largest object in our solar system?
The Sun – it takes up 99% of the matter in our solar system.
It is at the centre of our solar system.
The natural dividing line between the inner and outer planets is called _________.
The asteroid belt.
True or False
All asteroids are located in the asteroid belt.
False.
What is the I.S.S? What is it's purpose?
International Space Station.
The purpose of the ISS is to provide residence for astronauts to remain in space for extended periods of time. In this time they use the technology housed within the station to study and research the unknown parts of space. It is considered an orbiting research laboratory.
True or False? Explain how you know.
The sun is the biggest star in our galaxy.
False.
The sun seems really large because it's the closest star to us and it is the only one in our solar system. However, it is not the largest star in the Milky Way Galaxy.
What is a celestial object?
A natural object that exists outside the Earth's atmosphere.
Ex. stars, planets, asteroids, comets, and meteoroids.
Pluto is not a planet. It is a ________.
Dwarf planet
Why are asteroids shaped irregularly?
Their shapes are irregular because most of them were formed from either being broken apart from other larger asteroids, or merged together through light contact.
What is the Hubble Space Telescope used for?
Its main purpose is to take pictures of the many different objects in space.
Name a Canadian astronaut.
Chris Hadfield.
What galaxy is our solar system located in?
The Milky Way galaxy.
What are the 2 categories of planets?
Hint: What are they made of?
Jovian and Terrestrial OR Outer and Inner
The inner planets were formed by dirt, rock and other space debris and are consider the terrestrial planets. The outer planets were formed by various gases and are considered the gaseous planets.
What is a comet? Where are comets found?
A comet is a large piece of frozen gases, rock and dust. They are located at the very edge of the solar system; beyond the dwarf planet Pluto.
Why does the moon have craters?
From meteors crashing into it.
Who was the first man on the moon?
Niel Armstrong.
What causes the planets to orbit around the sun?
Hint: There are two parts to the answer.
1) The sun's gravitational pull.
2) The planets' tendency to pull away from this pull.
Name all 8 planets in order from closest to the sun to farthest from the sun.
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
Explain the difference between meteoroids, meteors, and meteorites.
A meteoroid is when the piece of dirt is still in space. If the piece of dirt gets put off course and starts to travel into the earth’s atmosphere it is considered a meteor. Finally, if any of the meteor does not get burned up by the atmosphere and lands on Earth it is considered a meteorite.
Why does the moon look slightly different every night?
The amount of moon showing is determined by how much sun light is shining on the side of the Moon that faces the earth.
Why does the sun allow for life on Earth, but not on any of the other planets in our solar system?
The Earth is the perfect distance from the sun (unlike the other planets). Depending on their position from the sun, they could be too hot or too cold for plant, animal, and human life.