Space Flash Cards
Which day of the year has the most daylight hours? Equinox or solstice?
Summer Solstice: June 21 or 22 (first day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere).
Which day of the year has the least daylight hours? Equinox or solstice?
Winter Solstice: December 21 or 22 (first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere).
- In which season are we leaning towards the Sun?
- In this season, is the sun higher or lower in the horizon and do we have more or less daylight hours?
- Summer
- Higher/More
- In which season are we leaning away from the Sun?
- In this season, is the sun higher or lower in the horizon and do we have more or less daylight hours?
- Winter
- Lower/Less
What happens when Earth is leaning neither toward nor away from the Sun?
These are the fall and spring equinoxes, when the daylight and nighttime hours are the same.
Fill in the blanks:
The planets _______ around the Sun. The Earth ________ around the Sun once every ____. The Earth _______ on its own axis every __ hours. The Moon ________ around the Earth every 28.5 days and ________ once on its axis every 28.5 days.
The planets revolve around the Sun. The Earth revolves around the Sun once every year. The Earth rotates on its own axis every 24 hours. The Moon revolves around the Earth every 28.5 days and rotates once on its axis every 28.5 days.
Define axis.
An imaginary line that passes through Earth’s center and the North and South poles, about which Earth rotates.
Define rotation.
The spinning of Earth on its axis.
Define revolution.
The movement of one object around another.
Define orbit.
The path of an object as it revolves around another object in space.
What is tidal locking?
Synchronous rotation of earth and moon. We only see one side of the moon. Moon takes 28.5 days to rotate on axis and 28.5 days to revolve around earth.
Compare and contrast rotation and revolution.
ROTATION SIMILAR
- on axis -continuous circular motion
- 1 object -gravity
- sun -earth
- moonREVOLUTION - 2 objects - follows an orbital path
Describe the motion of the Earth, Moon, and Sun.
Earth- Revolves around sun and rotates on axis.
Sun- Rotates on axis.
Moon- Revolves around Earth and rotates on axis.
Compare and contrast the motion of the Earth and moon.
The motion of the earth and moon are similar because they both have orbits. They both revolve and rotate. The earth revolves around the sun and moon revolves around earth.
Why do we only see one side of the moon?
We only see one side of the moon because it takes the same amount of time for the moon to rotate and revolve.
Do all planets revolve and rotate exactly the same as earth? Explain.
All the planets don’t revolve and rotate exactly the earth because they’re different distances from the sun. They are different sizes. They each have different amounts of gravitational pull.
Why do we have a leap year every 4 years?
We have a leap year every four years because it takes the earth 365.25 days to revolve around the sun.
Do a size comparison of the planets and sun (largest to smallest).
Sun➡️Jupiter➡️Saturn➡️Uranus➡️Neptune➡️Earth➡️Venus➡
️Mars➡️Mercury➡️Pluto
Complete a flow chart of space.
Universe
⬇️
Galaxy
⬇️
Nebula Solar System Stars
⬇ ️ ⬇️ ⬇ ️ ⬇️
Comet Meteoroid Asteroid Planet
⬇
Moon️
Review Reasons for Seasons worksheet!
How well do you remember the info?
Who discovered constellations?
Ancient Greeks and Roman and others who lived long ago.
Define constellation.
Star patterns in the night sky.
How many constellations are there?
88 official constellations.
Review the names and pictures of the constellations.
How well do you remember them?
Provide a description of Orion.
- Great Hunter
- In the Southern sky in autumn, winter and spring
- Head points towards Polaris
*3 stars in a line are his belt.
Provide a description of Ursa Major.
- The Great Bear
- Seen all year round (circumpolar)
- The Big Dipper is part of Ursa Major
- Best seen in spring
Provide a description of Cygnus.
- The Swan
- Located in the Milky Way
- Best seen in summer and fall
*Follow inner cup of Big Dipper to tail of Cygnus
Provide a description of Scorpius.
- The Scorpion
- Sits low along the southern horizon
- Best seen in summer
- Tail not visible to most northern latitudes
Provide a description of Cassiopeia.
- Female figure: The Queen
- Seen all year (circumpolar)
- Found in Milky Way
