Into Space

• Science
• Primary Education

Into Space

When you see this symbol in the lesson:

Use what you already know 

Learn some new facts

Get ready to take part

Reflect on what you have learned

There are 8 planets that orbit our sun.
Can you name any of them?

You will know more about the materials that make up our universe.

The planets that orbit our sun are:

Mercury

Venus

Earth

Mars

Jupiter

Saturn

Uranus

Neptune

Did you say Pluto?

This was actually reclassified by scientists as a 'dwarf planet', of which there are several in the solar system!

Has liquid water been found on Mars?

Yes

No

Answer: Not yet!

We haven't yet found liquid water on Mars. 

However,  ice found at the poles and minerals such as sandstone suggest there was liquid water in the past...

Sandstone forms when sediment builds up in layers on the bed of bodies of water (e.g. rivers, lakes oceans).

The earth is orbited by the moon.
Why is the moon important to humans?

Why is the moon important?    

Some reasons why the moon is important:

• The moon's gravity is what creates the tides.

• The moon blocks some objects from space that could otherwise hit Earth.

• The moon reflects some of the sun's light, helping us to see at night.
  

The tides are important for humans around the world, including for gathering food/materials, sailing, sports and generating hydroelectricity.

The moon has also been an important cultural and religious symbol for humans throughout history.

How many moons does Jupiter have?

1. 0
2. 3
3. 20
4. Over 60

Jupiter has over 60 named moons but more are being discovered and categorised all the time.

It is the planet with the most moons in the solar system as it is the biggest and has the strongest gravitational pull.

Asteroid

...is the name we give to the chunks of rock and metal out in space that aren't big enough to be considered a dwarf planet.

Meteor

...is the name we give the bright flash of light as an asteroid enters a planet's atmosphere.

Meteorite

...is the name we give an asteroid once it has struck the ground.

Asteroid, Meteor or Meteorite?

What are the three main types of meteorite?

Drag the correct answers over to the picture...

Iron

Sandy

Stony

Silver

Metal-clay

Stony-iron

The three main types of meteorite are:

Stony - These meteorites are formed from a mix of stony minerals and come from the broken surfaces of moons and planets.

Iron - These dense meteorites come from the iron cores of planets that were smashed to pieces.

Stony-iron - These meteorites show features of both of the other types and are formed where the core of a broken planet met molten rock.

When our solar system first formed, there were many more planets than the 8 we know now. Some of these planets would have collided, smashing into pieces and leaving asteroids behind.

How fast do you think an asteroid can travel in miles per hour?
(Hint...A passenger plane travels at around 550mph...)

050000

The answer is up to 43,000mph!

The larger an asteroid, the faster it is likely to be travelling. This is why when large asteroids hit a planet or a moon, they can cause massive amounts of damage, throwing debris up into the atmosphere and leaving huge craters!

What is your favourite fact about space?

How did you enjoy the lesson?

😒🙁😐🙂😃

For more info on space, check out:

European Space Agency

www.esa.int

NASA

www.nasa.gov

Into Space