Sun vs Stars
What is the main reason the Sun appears larger and brighter than other stars?
The Sun is closer to Earth than other stars.
What causes day and night on Earth?
The rotation of Earth on its axis
What is a shadow?
A dark area created when an object blocks light.
What are the phases of the Moon?
The different shapes of the Moon we see from Earth, like new moon, full moon, crescent, etc.
Name two ways we can observe the Sun and stars.
First-hand observations (like looking at the sky) and media (like photos or videos).
How long does it take for Earth to complete one full rotation?
24 hours.
How does the position of the Sun affect the length of shadows?
When the Sun is low in the sky, shadows are longer; when it is high, shadows are shorter.
How long does it take for the Moon to go through all its phases?
About 29.5 days.
Why do we say the Sun is a star?
Because it is a massive ball of gas that produces light and heat through nuclear fusion, just like other stars.
What happens to the Sun's position in the sky throughout the day?
It appears to rise in the east and set in the west.
What time of day do you expect shadows to be the shortest?
Around noon.
What is a new moon?
When the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun, and we cannot see it.
What is one way to argue that the Sun is a star based on observations?
By comparing its brightness and temperature to other stars.
Why do we experience different lengths of day and night throughout the year?
The tilt of Earth's axis and its orbit around the Sun.
How can you model the way shadows change throughout the day?
By using a light source (like a lamp) and an object to see how the shadow moves.
How do the phases of the Moon affect the tides?
The gravitational pull of the Moon causes changes in water levels, leading to high and low tides.
How do scientists use models to represent the Sun's relationship to Earth?
Models can show how the distance affects brightness and size perceptions.
Describe how shadows change during the day
Shadows are longer in the morning and evening and shorter at noon when the Sun is highest in the sky.
Why does the direction of shadows change throughout the day?
Because of the Sun's apparent movement across the sky.
Describe how you could create a model to show the Moon's phases.
Using a ball to represent the Moon and a light to represent the Sun to show how the positions change.