Unit 1: The Sun, Planets and Asteroids pg. 116 - 118

Question 1

What does our solar system consist of?

Answer 1

Our Solar System consists of many different celestial bodies.

Question 2

What is a celestial body?

Answer 2

Celestial bodies are any objects in space with mass.

Question 3

What can celestial bodies be made up of?

Answer 3

Celestial bodies can be made up of rock, gas or both.

Question 4

What is the Sun?

Answer 4

The Sun is a star at the centre of our Solar System.

Question 5

What is the Sun made of?

Answer 5

The Sun is a big ball of burning gas. It consists of 6 layers, which is called the anatomy of the Sun.

Question 6

What do the planets do?

Hint: Revolve

Answer 6

The planets revolve around the Sun.

Question 7

How many planets does our Solar system have?

Answer 7

Our solar system has 8 major planets.

Question 8

What do the 8 planets consist of?

Answer 8

The 8 planets consist of 4 rocky inner planets and 4 outer gaseous planets.

Question 9

What do the 4 interior planets mainly consist of?

Answer 9

The 4 interior rocky planets consist mainly of rock and metal; and have few or no moons.

Question 10

MERCURY
Mercury is the _____ planet to the Sun. It takes 88 days to complete its ____. Mercury has __ moons and no __________. This planet is much ______ than Earth.

Answer 10

Mercury is the CLOSEST planet to the Sun. It takes 88 days to complete its ORBIT. Mercury has NO moons and no ATMOSPHERE. This planet is much SMALLER than Earth.

Question 11

VENUS
Venus is the ______ object in the ____ sky, after the Moon. It takes 262 days to complete its _____. Venus is ______ smaller than Earth. It is the ______ planet in our solar system. The atmosphere is made up of ______ ______. Venus has __ moons.

Answer 11

Venus is the BRIGHTEST object in the NIGHT sky, after the Moon. It takes 262 days to complete its ORBIT. Venus is SLIGHTLY smaller than Earth. It is the HOTTEST planet in our solar system. The atmosphere is made up of CARBON DIOXIDE. Venus has NO moons.

Question 12

EARTH
Earth is the only planet that can support ____ in our solar system. Earth’s atmosphere contains ______. It is the only planet with ____ water on its surface. It takes 365 1/4 days to ____ the Sun. It has _ moon.

Answer 12

Earth is the only planet that can support LIFE in our solar system. Earth’s atmosphere contains OXYGEN. It is the only planet with LIQUID water on its surface. It takes 365 ¼ days to ORBIT the Sun. It has 1 moon.

Question 13

MARS
Mars is often called the ___ Planet. It looks red because of the presence of ___ on its surface. Mars is very _____ to Earth. It has water, but all of it is frozen and is only found on the ice ___ of the planet. Mars also experiences Summer and ______ like Earth does. In ____, the temperature can drop to - 82 degrees Celsius. In Summer, the temperatures reach about - 5 degrees Celsius. Mars has _ moons, Phobos and ______. One year on Mars lasts 320 days.

Answer 13

Mars is often called the RED Planet. It looks red because of the presence of RUST on its surface. Mars is very SIMILAR to Earth. It has water, but all of it is frozen and is only found on the ice CAPS of the planet. Mars also experiences Summer and WINTER like Earth does. In WINTER, the temperature can drop to - 82 degrees Celsius. In Summer, the temperatures reach about - 5 degrees Celsius. Mars has 2 moons, Phobos and DEIMOS. One year on Mars lasts 320 days.

Question 14

Where can a asteroid belt be found?

Answer 14

Between Mars and Jupiter.

Question 15

What are asteroids?

Answer 15

Asteroids are pieces of rock that also orbit the Sun. They are believed to be broken pieces of planets.

Question 16

What are the 4 exterior planets also known as?

Answer 16

The 4 exterior planets are also known as the “gas giants” in our solar system.

Question 17

What are the 4 exterior planets made up of?

Answer 17

They are made up of gas. They are also far bigger than the interior planets. They usually have many moons.

Question 18

JUPITER
Jupiter is the ____ of our solar system. Its mass is 300 times more than _____. It takes 12 years to complete it ____. Jupiter has __ moons!

Answer 18

Jupiter is the GIANT of our solar system. Its mass is 300 times more than EARTH. It takes 12 years to complete it ORBIT. Jupiter has 62 moons!

Question 19

SATURN
Saturn is the ______ biggest planet in the Solar System. It consists of giant rings of gas and ___. Some of the rings are visible from _____. Saturn has __ moons. It takes 30 years to complete its _____.

Answer 19

Saturn is the SECOND biggest planet in the Solar System. It consists of giant rings of gas and ICE. Some of the rings are visible from EARTH. Saturn has 16 moons. It takes 30 years to complete its ORBIT.

Question 20

URANUS
Uranus cannot be seen without using a _______. This planet has __ moons. It takes Uranus 84 years to complete its _____. Uranus is the _____ of the gas giants, but is still much _____ than Earth.

Answer 20

Uranus cannot be seen without using a TELESCOPE. This planet has 27 moons. It takes Uranus 84 years to complete its ORBIT. Uranus is the SMALLEST of the gas giants, but is still much BIGGER than Earth.

Question 21

NEPTUNE
Neptune can also only be seen by using a _______. Its the ____ largest planet in the solar system. Neptune consists mainly of _______ and helium gases. It has __ moons. Scientists are not sure how long it takes to complete its ____, but they think it could be more than 165 years!

Answer 21

Neptune can also only be seen by using a TELESCOPE. Its the THIRD largest planet in the solar system. Neptune consists mainly of HYDROGEN and helium gases. It has
13 moons. Scientists are not sure how long it takes to complete its ORBIT, but they think it could be more than 165 years!