EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE

PART 6 OF 6Abney Elementary

K. Delaup

The planets are divided into two groups; the inner and the outer planets.

The dividing line between the inner planets and the outer planets is the asteroid belt.

The asteroid belt is chunks of rock and metal that orbit around the Earth.

The inner planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.

The inner planets are rocky and dense.

Earth is different from all the other planets because it contains liquid water and supports life.

The outer planets are Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. (Pluto is a “dwarf” planet.)

Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are large spheres made up of mostly gases.

That is why they are often called the gas giants.

These planets are large and have many moons.

Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system.

Jupiter’s energy produced due to the active atmosphere causes a circular storm known as the Great Red Spot.

This weather, which is a lot like a hurricane, has lasted more than 300 years.

It is so big around that three Earths would fit inside.

Saturn is the gas giant known for its rings.

Other planets have rings but Saturn’s are so wide and so bright that they can be seen from Earth through a small telescope.

Planets rings are made up of bits of dust, ice crystals, and small pieces of rock. Rings may have been formed as a moon was pulled apart by gravity because it was too close to the planet.

Pluto is the smallest of the planets. Recently, scientists decided that Pluto would have a

downgraded status. Pluto is no longer an official planet. They have renamed it a “dwarf planet” because it is

so much smaller than all the other planets.

The planets that have no moons are Mercury and Venus.

Scientist study space in the following ways: telescopes, crewed missions, and unscrewed missions.

A telescope is a device people use to observe distant objects. (Note: There are many different types of telescopes.)

Telescopes that scientist use to study space are large and powerful. Many of them have cameras that constantly take pictures.

Trips that people take into space are called crewed missions.

Crewed missions are useful because people can actually find out for themselves what it is like to live and work in space.

The United States uses the space shuttle to carry crews, materials and satellites to and from space.

Uncrewed missions are missions to space that launch without people. Many of these missions take place to explore places that are too dangerous or too far away for people to visit.

Hubble Telescope

Pathfinder on Mars

Space probes are vehicles that carry cameras, instruments, and other tools. They take pictures and some collect and analyze rock samples, test for substances like water, and collect other data.

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