Solar System Flashcards
Describe the heliocentric model of the Solar System.
The heliocentric model of the solar system is where all the planets orbit the sun (the sun is in the centre), except the moons.
Describe the Geocentric model of the Solar System.
The geocentric model of the solar system is where all of the planets orbit the earth (The earth is in the centre).
What technology enabled Galileo to study Jupiter?
Galileo used a telescope; it allowed him to observe Jupiter.
Describe how Galileo’s observation of Jupiter’s moons disproved the geocentric model of the universe (you need to state what the geocentric model is).
Galileo disproved the geocentric model of the solar system (all planets orbit the earth) by observing Jupiter. He noticed three stars surrounding Jupiter. He watched Jupiter at the same time every day as the glowing stars orbited Jupiter. He then noticed a fourth star. Galileo then realised that the star’s weren’t actually stars, and that they were in fact moons. This revealed to Galileo that not all planets orbited the earth and therefore disproved the geocentric model.
Describe the current model of the solar system.
The current model of the solar system is much like the heliocentric model apart from 3 distinct differences.
The planets do orbit the sun but the stars do not.
The orbit of the planets is not circular and is much more oval shaped.
There are a total of 8 planets, not 5.
Explain how we can see non-luminous objects such as other planets and their moons (diagrams are permitted).
We can see non-luminous planets and their moons because all of them reflect light. The light from the stars hits the planets and the planet reflects the light. This light travels to our eyes and the light waves stimulate sensors in the eye which then is transformed into a chemical message and is then sent in to the brain in order to create an image.
List the objects we can see with the naked eye in the night sky.
We can see: Some stars Few Planets Our sun Occasionally comets
What benefits did the invention of the telescope bring?
The benefits of the telescope are: We can see objects that are further away The image appears bigger The image appears brighter The image appears more detailed
Describe two ways that photographs help astronomers studying objects in space.
Photographs can help astronomers studying objects in space because they can compare the photographs. Faint objects can also be seen due to long exposure time.
Describe how we can see stars.
We can see stars because of the light they emit. The light goes in to the eye.
