Polar Auroras(2025-2026)

Vocabulary:  Solar wind, magnetosphere. 

To learn about Polar Auroras, we start at the Sun.

The Sun sends out a constant stream of energy and particles in all directions.  All planets and moons in our Solar system get struck by this barrage.  We call this steam of Energy from the Sun the "Solar Wind".

Our planet has a "Force field" of sorts, made up of lines of Magnetic force, made by the Inner core of the Earth.  We call it the Magnetosphere. 

The Solar wind is deflected away from the Earth's surface by the Magnetosphere.

However, some of the particles of Solar wind become trapped in the Magnetosphere at the poles.

There, they strike particles in the atmosphere and put on a spectacular light show.

Meteorites, Meteors, Asteroids & Comets(2025-2026)

 Vocabulary:  Meteorites, meteors, asteroids, comets

The objects above are listed in that particular order because that is the order in which they are found in terms of their distance from the Earth.

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Meteorites are closest - rocky bodies that crash into the Earth.

Meteors are next closest - in Earth's atmosphere.  They too, are rocky.

Asteroids are the last rocky bodies in the "warm" zone around the Sun. They are found in the Asteroid belt between mars and Jupter.

Comets are farthest away, past Neptune.  Because of this distance they are made of ice and some rocks(dirt).

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The Outer Planets(2025-2026)

Vocabulary:  Jovian

The outer planets are called the "Jovian" planets because they are all large, like Jupiter - the largest planet in our solar system.

"Gas giants" is another common name.  It comes from what they are made of.

Gravity & the Inner Planets(2025-2026)

 Vocabulary:  Terrestrial, tectonics

We begin this lesson with a brief talk on Gravity and the rules that determine how strong we feel its pull.  

Gravity is what holds our Solar System together.

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The first four planets of our solar system are made of rocks.  

We therefore call them "rocky" or "terrestrial" planets.  These rocky surfaces may experience tectonic action and other phenomena related to weather and climate on its surface.

They are located in the inner solar system( see last class ppt )and are characterized by a rocky surface, slow rotation, fast revolution, few to no moons and no rings.

Students need to be able to identify each planet given a few clues.

This first video give a great overview of our Solar System and its planets.

This second video gives more details about the Inner / Rocky / Terrestrial planets.

Gravity(2025-2026)

Vocabulary:  gravity

Gravity is literally what holds our Solar System together AND makes it go 'round.

Solar system Organization & Distances(2025-2026)

Vocabulary:  Astronomical unit(AU), ellipse

When we say outer space, this lesson shows that there is a LOT of "space" in outer space.

Please check out the websites listed on the last slide of the powerpoint.  

They are very informative, entertaining and mind-blowing!