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Universes, galaxies, and solar systems are some of the major components of outer space. If we break it down even further, we can talk about stars, planets, asteroids, meteoroids, comets, and a lot of dust. All of these parts are held together by gravity. Our little part of outer space is called a solar system because "sol" is the Latin word for sun, and the sun is the main component of the system.
Sample some of the following activities to learn more about our solar system.
People
To See Things To Do Teacher
Resources Bibliography
Places To GoThe following are places to go (some real and some virtual) to find out about the solar system.
A Virtual
Journey into the Universe
This site provides an in-depth view of the entire universe. It includes information about planets and their moons as well as theories and laws that govern the universe.
This site provides an in-depth view of the entire universe. It includes information about planets and their moons as well as theories and laws that govern the universe.
A Wrinkle in Time
Visit your school or public library and check out the science fiction book by Madeleine L'Engle it is a classic. Orson Scott Card'sscience fiction books are popular with high school students. Stinker From Space by Pamela Service is about an alien who is being chased by enemy aliens and crashes his spacecraft on earth and transforms his body into the body of a skunk.
Visit your school or public library and check out the science fiction book by Madeleine L'Engle it is a classic. Orson Scott Card'sscience fiction books are popular with high school students. Stinker From Space by Pamela Service is about an alien who is being chased by enemy aliens and crashes his spacecraft on earth and transforms his body into the body of a skunk.
BBC: Explore the Solar System
Explore the Solar System with entertaining BBC archive video. Brian Cox and Patrick Moore share their passion for the Sun, the planets and other wonders.
Explore the Solar System with entertaining BBC archive video. Brian Cox and Patrick Moore share their passion for the Sun, the planets and other wonders.
Clark
Planetarium
The Clark Planetarium's mission is to create and present enlightening experiences that inspire wonder in learning about space and science.
The Clark Planetarium's mission is to create and present enlightening experiences that inspire wonder in learning about space and science.
Hovenweep National
Monument
The ancient Native American inhabitants left well preserved stone towers and other pueblo style buildings. It is thought that some of the towers may have been used as atronomical observatories with strategic openings in the walls to determine solstices, equinoxes, and moon cycles. Hovenweep is one of Utah's ancient treasures.
The ancient Native American inhabitants left well preserved stone towers and other pueblo style buildings. It is thought that some of the towers may have been used as atronomical observatories with strategic openings in the walls to determine solstices, equinoxes, and moon cycles. Hovenweep is one of Utah's ancient treasures.
National
Geographic: Virtual Solar System
Discover the wonders of our solar system in a spectacular 3-D environment. Take a flyby tour of the sun and each planet in its orbit, observe planets and extraterrestrial weather patterns up close, and more.
Discover the wonders of our solar system in a spectacular 3-D environment. Take a flyby tour of the sun and each planet in its orbit, observe planets and extraterrestrial weather patterns up close, and more.
The
Nine Planets: A Multimedia Tour of the Solar System
Information about each planet and moon in our solar system with many pictures, discussion of the history of its discovery, exploration, and physical characteristics. In addition to the planets, there are also pages about the Sun, many moons, and asteroids, comets and meteorites.
Information about each planet and moon in our solar system with many pictures, discussion of the history of its discovery, exploration, and physical characteristics. In addition to the planets, there are also pages about the Sun, many moons, and asteroids, comets and meteorites.
Solar
System Exploration
This NASA site provides information on the planets in our solar system, current and past space missions, reasons for exploring space, and much more.
This NASA site provides information on the planets in our solar system, current and past space missions, reasons for exploring space, and much more.
People To SeeAsk an Astronomer
From Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.. Ask new questions or read through old ones.
From Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.. Ask new questions or read through old ones.
Man
in the Moon
For centuries, humankind has been imagining the face of a man in the moon. Check out these images and see if you can see the faces.
For centuries, humankind has been imagining the face of a man in the moon. Check out these images and see if you can see the faces.
NASA's
Ask the Expert
You choose if you want the crew of one of the missions to answer your question or the staff of the Mission Control Center. You can also read answers to previously asked questions.
You choose if you want the crew of one of the missions to answer your question or the staff of the Mission Control Center. You can also read answers to previously asked questions.
NASA's
Ask the Space Scientist
You can ask the space scientist new questions or read through past questions and answers.
You can ask the space scientist new questions or read through past questions and answers.
Things To DoAmazing
Space
Learn about the objects that make up the solar system by collecting Solar System Trading Cards. From this site, be sure and also check out the Galaxy Games.
Learn about the objects that make up the solar system by collecting Solar System Trading Cards. From this site, be sure and also check out the Galaxy Games.
Astronomy
for Kids
Discover information about the special qualities of each planet in the solar system.
Discover information about the special qualities of each planet in the solar system.
Brain
Pop: The Solar System
Learn about the solar system on this fun site by watching a movie, taking a quiz, trying out an experiment, and more!
Learn about the solar system on this fun site by watching a movie, taking a quiz, trying out an experiment, and more!
Build
a Solar System
You fill in the diameter of the sun that you want your model to be scaled by, and the solar system calculator gives you the numbers for your other celestial bodies.
You fill in the diameter of the sun that you want your model to be scaled by, and the solar system calculator gives you the numbers for your other celestial bodies.
The
Constellations and their Stars
You may go outside some night and see all kinds of stars, and maybe you have even spotted the Big Dipper (northern hemisphere) or the Southern Cross (southern hemisphere), but what about Leo the Lion or Pisces the Fish? What are they?
You may go outside some night and see all kinds of stars, and maybe you have even spotted the Big Dipper (northern hemisphere) or the Southern Cross (southern hemisphere), but what about Leo the Lion or Pisces the Fish? What are they?
How
To Become an Astronaut
It's never too early to be thinking about becoming an astronaut or mission specialist.
It's never too early to be thinking about becoming an astronaut or mission specialist.
Let's
Cook Up A Comet
Make a comet. You'll need dry ice, garbage bags, sand or dirt, a little ammonia, and some corn syrup.
Make a comet. You'll need dry ice, garbage bags, sand or dirt, a little ammonia, and some corn syrup.
Phases
of the Moon
Go out at night and impress your family and friends by declaring to them that the moon is a waxing gibbous or a waning crescent.
Go out at night and impress your family and friends by declaring to them that the moon is a waxing gibbous or a waning crescent.
Science
Monster: Our Solar System
Learn about the solar system or take a tour of Mars and the stars. Also includes a virtual globe and information on gravity and inertia.
Learn about the solar system or take a tour of Mars and the stars. Also includes a virtual globe and information on gravity and inertia.
The
Sun
Amaze your friends by explaining to them what the sun is made of, why it is hot, and if it will ever burn up.
Amaze your friends by explaining to them what the sun is made of, why it is hot, and if it will ever burn up.
Teacher Resources Online Activities/Hotlists are a listing of internet
sites with fun, interesting, and educational tasks attached to each one.
(You can learn how to use this WWW
Activities tool created by UEN for Utah educators).
Bibliography- Angliss, Sarah. Cosmic Journeys: A Beginner's Guide to Space and Time Travel. Brookfield, Conn.: Copper Beech Books, 1998.
- Becklake, Sue. World Book Encyclopedia Presents Space. Chicago, Ill. : World Book in Association with Two-Can, 1997.
- Dyer, Alan. Space. Pleasantville, N.Y.: Reader's Digest Children's Books, c1999.
- Redfern, Martin. The Kingfisher Young People's Book of Space. New York: Kingfisher, 1998.
- Scheller, William. Spaced out!: An Extreme Reader - From Warps and Wormholes to Killer Asteroids. New York: Planet Dexter, 1998.