Revision as of 18:29, 7 November 2007

The features of the solar system that pupils should be aware of:

The Solar System

• All pupils can recall the locations of the major features of the the solar system.

The Sun

• All pupils understand that our Sun is the result of a giant nuclear fusion reaction.
• All pupils understand that the heat and light of the Sun is the source of all life on Earth.
• All pupils understand the role our Sun plays in creating the seasons.
• Most pupils understand that the Earth orbits around the Sun due to the Sun's strong gravitational pull.
• Some pupils may understand that the Sun emits a spectrum of electromagnetic radiation including high-energy UV light that causes tanning.

Inner (Terrestrial Planets

• All pupils will understand that the inner terrestrial planets have solid surfaces and are significantly smaller that the larger gas planets.

Mercury

• All pupils understand that Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun.
• All pupils recall that is a very small planet which is very hot on one side and very cold on the other side.
• Some pupils may understand why Mercury's surface temperature varies so wildly.

Venus

• All pupils understand that Venus' surface is 97% carbon dioxide.

Earth

• Mostly harmless

Earth's Moon

• All pupils understand the role the Moon plays in creating the tides.
• Some pupils may understand how our Moon was formed.

Mars

• All pupils understand that unfortunately we have not yet found Martians.

Ceres

Asteroid Belt

Outer Planets (Gas Giants)

Jupiter

Jupiter's moons

Saturn

Saturn's rings

Uranus

Neptune

Comets

Outer Planets

Pluto

• Pupils understand that Pluto IS a planet)

Eris

Comets

Oort Cloud

Pupils should also be aware of how orbital period varies with distance from the Sun and that Pluto is not always the furthest planet from the Sun due to its odd orbit.