To give an overview of the solar system

Natural sciences

Planet earth and the universe

Our solar system

Educator section

Memorandum

Assignment 1:

Asteroids: These are pieces of rock that are found in an orbit around the sun in a small area between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.

Comets: Comets are huge, dirty snowballs with a diameter of between one and approximately 50 kilometres. If they pass near the sun the ice can be melted into a gas as a result of the heat of the sun.

Meteors: These are small pieces of rock that move around in space and burn up. They are visible when they penetrate the earth’s atmosphere. Sometimes they are called shooting stars and they appear to be balls of fire. Sometimes larger meteors do not completely burn up and when they hit the earth’s surface they create craters. When a meteor hits the earth it is known as a meteorite.

Assignment 2:

• The Greek word “cometes” means “hairy star”. When comets pass near the sun ice changes into gas. Dust is also freed from the ice and from the earth this dust can be seen as a long tail which turns away from the sun. It looks like hair, thus the name “hairy star”.
• This comet appears every 76 years when it passes the earth in its orbit around the sun.
• The comet appeared twice in the 20 ^th century, in 1910 and 1986.
• Yes, if one is born close to the appearance of the comet, it is possible to see it a second time.
• Own research

Leaner section

Content

Activity: to give an overview of the solar system [lo 1.1]

Read the section below carefully and answer the following questions.

The solar system

The earth is part of a group of planets and bodies which is called the solar system. The sun is the central point of the universe and the other bodies orbit around it. The sun is actually a star and is much bigger than the members of the solar system. The planets shine because they reflect the sun’s light.

There are nine planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. All the planets have moons except for Mercury and Venus. Some planets, like Earth, have only one moon but others have more. Saturn has seventeen.

• The sun also has smaller family members, for example meteors, asteroids and comets. Most asteroids revolve around the sun in smaller orbits.

TASK 1

Use a dictionary and define the following:

1. Asteroids:

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2. Comets:

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3. Meteors:

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TASK 2

The astronomer Edmund Halley predicted in 1705 that a comet would appear in 1758. He was right. He calculated in which year the same comet would re-appear. He had already died by the time the comet re-appeared and in his honour the comet was named after him.

• Write a short report on Halley’s comet in which you discuss the following aspects:
• Why was the word “comet” derived from the Greek word “cometes” which means “hairy star”?
• How often does the comet re-appear? Why does it appear when it does?
• How many times did it appear in the 20th Century (1901 to 2000)?
• Is it humanly possible to see the comet twice?
• Make short notes about Edmund Halley’s life.

Research project: Edward Halley Educator Assessment

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Assessment

Learning Outcome 1: The learner will be able to act confidently on curiosity about natural phenomena, and to investigate relationships and solve problems in scientific, technological and environmental contexts.

Assessment Standard 1.1: We know this when the learner plans investigations: plans simple tests and comparisons, and considers how to make them fair.