Our Distant Neighbors: Other Objects in the Solar System

Upon viewing the Our Distant Neighbors video series, students will be able to do the following: Create a simple diagram of the sun and the orbital paths of each planet around the sun. Label each of the eight planets. Explain that the sun is a huge object that has a strong gravitational pull on the planets, holding them in their orbital paths. Understand that inertia is responsible for the continual motion of the planets. List some of the tools scientists use to learn about objects in the solar system, such as telescopes and unmanned spacecrafts. Discuss the fact that a high concentration of asteroids exist in the asteroid belt, which is located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Define an asteroid as a nonplanetary object made up of rocks, metals, or a combination of these materials. Cite some of the characteristics of the planet Jupiter, such as: contains a Giant Red Spot that is believed to be an ongoing storm is the fifth planet from the sun is composed of gas surrounding a solid core has many moons Describe some of the following characteristics of the planet Saturn: is the sixth planet from sun has large, dramatic rings rings are made up of ice and rock particles Identify the following characteristics of the planet Uranus: is the seventh planet from sun is very cold Explain the following characteristics of the planet Neptune: is the eighth planet from the sun it takes 164 Earth-years to orbit the sun Explain how streaks of light called meteors are created when pieces of matter enter Earth's atmosphere and burn. Describe a comet as a collection of ice and dust that travels in long orbits around the sun.