THE PLANETS
Which planet is closest to the Sun?
Mercury
What does Earth orbit around?
The Sun
What is the path that a planet takes around the Sun called?
An orbit
Name two objects in our solar system besides planets.
Asteroids, comets, moons, meteoroids (accept any two)
Have humans ever traveled to the Moon? (Yes or No)
Yes
Name the largest planet in our solar system.
Jupiter
How long does it take Earth to orbit the Sun?
365 days (one year)
True or False: All planets orbit the Sun at the same speed.
False (planets closer to the Sun orbit faster)
Which planet is closest to Earth?
Venus
What do we use to see distant planets and stars?
Telescopes
How many planets are in our solar system?
8 planets
What causes day and night on Earth?
Earth's rotation (spinning on its axis)
What is the Sun?
A star
What are small rocky objects that orbit the Sun called?
Asteroids
Name one vehicle or tool used to explore space
Telescope, rocket, satellite, rover, space shuttle (accept any one)
Which planet is known as the "Red Planet" and why?
Mars; it's red because of rust (iron oxide) in its soil
Why does the Moon appear to change shape in the sky?
The Moon orbits Earth, and we see different amounts of its lit side from Earth
How do scientists know about planets that are very far away?
With telescopes or space probes/satellites
How many moons does Earth have?
One moon (the Moon)
Why do astronauts wear spacesuits?
To protect them from the extreme temperatures, lack of oxygen, and radiation in space
Name two planets that have rings around them.
Saturn and Uranus (also Neptune has rings)
Explain how the Sun's energy reaches Earth.
The Sun's energy travels through space as light and heat that warms Earth
What would happen to Earth if it stopped orbiting the Sun?
Earth would drift away into space (or crash into the Sun)
Describe what makes our solar system special or unique
Accept answers like: It has the Sun at the center, eight planets, and supports life on Earth
What could we learn by exploring other planets?
Accept answers like: What other planets are like, if there's life elsewhere, how to survive in space, or resources