Introduction
Welcome to one of the spiral arms of our Milky Way Galaxy called Orion which lies about two-thirds of the way out from the center of the Galaxy. Here you will explore our Solar System - a group of eight planets, as well as numerous comets and asteroids and dwarf planets which orbit the Sun. While most of us are stuck on planet Earth, we’re lucky enough to have a fairly transparent atmosphere. This allows us to look up at the sky and observe changes. The ancients noticed planets wandering across the sky, and occasional visitors such as comets. Thousands of years ago, most thought the stars ruled our destiny. Today, however, we can see science at work in the planets, asteroids and comets close to home. So lets take a look at the Solar System! What can it teach us?
Your MissionYour mission is to create an amazing "Solar System Poster" that outlines and maps your journey through the Solar System to help future explorers!
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Mission Resources
https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/
The NASA Solar System Exploration website is a real-time, living encyclopedia of the robotic exploration of our solar system. NASA provides the public with reliable, accurate, up-to-date information about the planets, moons, asteroids, comets and everything else in our solar system. NASA also provides a complete historical record of deep space exploration. Mission Graphic Organizer |
Mission Objectives
Use the NASA Solar System Exploration website provided to explore and answer the following questions on your "Solar System Poster." Use the navigation bar below to explore different celestial objects in our Solar System. When you are done you should have one piece of paper completely filled in with amazing facts and drawings about our Solar System....and beyond!?
Mission #1
It's Time to Blast Off and Leave Earth!
- Use the menu at the top of the NASA website and click on "Solar System."
- Check out the "10 Need-to-Know Things About the Solar System"
- On your "Solar System Poster" write down what you believe is the MOST important thing you need to know about the Solar System.
Mission #2
Explore the Closest Star to Earth
- Use the menu at the top of the NASA website and hover over the "Solar System" use the drop down menu to select "Sun."
- Check out he "10 Need-to-Know Things about the Sun"
- On your "Solar System Poster" write down what you believe is the MOST important thing you need to know about the Sun.
Mission #3
What is your favorite planet?
- Use the menu at the top of the NASA website and click on "Planets."
- Scroll down and take a look at the brief outlines of all the planets in our Solar System.
- On your "Solar System Poster" write down one or more facts about your favorite planet.
Mission #4
Discover the Planets!
Use the menu at the top of the NASA website and hover over the "Planets" use the drop down menu to select EACH of the following:
- Mercury - Include a drawing and one or more amazing facts from the 10 Need-to-Know Things onto your "Solar System Poster."
- Venus - Include a drawing and one or more amazing facts from the 10 Need-to-Know Things onto your "Solar System Poster."
- Earth - Include a drawing and one or more amazing facts from the 10 Need-to-Know Things onto your "Solar System Poster."
- Mars - Include a drawing and one or more amazing facts from the 10 Need-to-Know Things onto your "Solar System Poster."
- Jupiter - Include a drawing and one or more amazing facts from the 10 Need-to-Know Things onto your "Solar System Poster."
- Saturn - Include a drawing and one or more amazing facts from the 10 Need-to-Know Things onto your "Solar System Poster."
- Uranus - Include a drawing and one or more amazing facts from the 10 Need-to-Know Things onto your "Solar System Poster."
- Neptune - Include a drawing and one or more amazing facts from the 10 Need-to-Know Things onto your "Solar System Poster."
Mission #5
Should Pluto be a Planet?
- Use the menu at the top of the NASA website and hover over "Planets" use the drop down menu to select one of the Dwarf planets such as Pluto:
- On your "Solar System Poster" write down one or more facts from the 10 Need-to-Know Things about your dwarf planet of choice.
- Use the menu at the top of the NASA website and hover over "Planets" use the drop down menu to select Pluto.
- Using the information available about Pluto discuss whether or not Pluto should be planet on your "Solar System Poster."
Mission #6
Explore Moons
- Use the menu at the top of the NASA website and hover over "Moons" use the drop down menu to see how many moons some planets in our Solar System have.
- On your "Solar System Poster" write down the planet in our Solar System that has the most known moons.
- Use the menu at the top of the NASA website and hover over "Moons" and select Earth (1).
- On your "Solar System Poster" write down one or more facts from the 10 Need-to-Know Things about our Moon.
Mission #7
Look Out! Asteroids, Comets & Meteors!
- Use the menu at the top of the NASA website and click on "Asteroids, Comets & Meteors."
- On your "Solar System Poster" draw and explain the difference between asteroids, comets and meteors.
- Which one is considered a "shooting star?"
- Click on "Asteroids." On your "Solar System Poster" indicate the current known asteroid count.
Mission #8
Explore MORE!
- Use the menu at the top of the NASA website and hover over "MORE"
- Select any topic you wish to explore and draw and/or record one or more things you learned onto your "Solar System Poster"
Mission #9
Go Beyond Our Solar System!
- Use the menu at the top of the NASA website and hover over "Solar System" use the drop down menu to select "Beyond Our Solar System"
- On your "Solar System Poster" write down one or more facts from the 10 Need-to-Know Things about the Universe.
Mission #10
Explore Our Solar System in Real-Time!
- Use the menu at the top of the NASA website and click the first icon that represents the Solar System. Here you will find a simulated view of our Solar System running on real data. The position of the planets, moons and spacecraft are shown where they are right now! Zoom in and out. Rotate and explore the Solar System and the Inner Solar System at it is right now!
- Describe at least ONE thing you have learned from examining this simulation about our Solar System onto your "Solar System Poster."
Mission Accomplished!In order to complete your "Solar System Poster" you must completely fill in one side of a piece of paper (or more). If you need to continue to explore the NASA website to completely fill in your "Solar System Poster."
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Conclusion
Earth's Solar System is part of the Milky Way Galaxy, which is one of many galaxies in the Universe. The planet Earth is a tiny part of a vast universe that has developed over a span of time beginning with a period of extreme and rapid expansion. Earth's Solar System consists of the Sun and other objects that are held in orbit around the Sun by its gravitational pull on them.