Solar System Facts
Name the star at the center of our solar system.
The Sun
What causes day and night on Earth?
Earth’s rotation on its axis.
What is one thing we can observe about the Sun that tells us it is a star?
It gives off light and heat like other stars; it is a glowing ball of gas.
True or False: The Sun is the only star in the universe.
False
Before modern clocks, how did people tell time?
They used shadows from the sun and sundials
How many planets are in our solar system?
8
What causes the phases of the Moon that we see from Earth?
The Moon’s orbit around Earth causes different portions to be lit from our view.
Name one tool or method scientists use to learn about planets.
Telescopes, cameras, spacecraft, or spectroscopes.
Why do stars look small even though some are much larger than the Sun?
Because they are extremely far away, so they appear very small to us.
Who came up with the concept of 12-hour days and 12-hour nights?
The ancient Greeks
Which planet is known for its rings?
Saturn
Describe one way the Moon affects Earth.
Causes tides; stabilizes Earth’s tilt; affects night light.
If you watch a star get brighter and dimmer over time, what might that tell you?
It might be a star with changes, or a planet or object passing in front of it.
If a star is farther away, how does it look from Earth?
It looks dimmer and smaller.
How old is the sun?
About 4.5 billion years old
Which planet is closest to the Sun?
Mercury
What is a solar eclipse?
When the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, blocking sunlight.
Two groups measured different temperatures on Mars. What should scientists do next?
Check measurements, repeat the tests, and compare methods to find the cause.
Give one difference between how the Sun looks and how a faraway star looks.
The Sun looks bright and large; a faraway star looks faint and small.
Who is credited with first using the term "Solar System?"
John Locke
Explain why the Sun appears larger and brighter than other stars.
It is much closer to Earth than other stars.
Explain why we have seasons on Earth.
Earth’s axis is tilted as it orbits the Sun, causing different hemispheres to receive more direct sunlight at different times.
Give one simple example of how rocks or fossils tell us Earth changed over time.
Fossils in rock layers show that life and environments were different long ago.
How can scientists learn about stars by watching their light over time?
By measuring how the light changes, scientists can learn if a star is changing, has planets, or is in a certain life stage.
Who discovered that the Earth revolves around the Sun?
Nicolaus Copernicus