COMPREHENSION CHECK

VOCABULARY

a) All of the planets in our __________ orbit around the sun.

b) The planet Neptune is a long __________ away from Earth.

c) Earth travels in a circular __________ around the sun.

d)Scientists who study the planets and stars are called __________.

COMPREHENSION CHECK

a) How many of planets can you name now that we have read the news story?

b) For how long has Pluto been called a planet? c) What are the rules that will help scientists determine in the future if a

space object is a planet or not? d) Which planet is closest to Pluto? e) What new name have scientists given to space objects similar to

Pluto? f) Who discovered Pluto?

CRITICAL THINKING

a) What does “My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pickles” mean?

b)Challenge yourself to come up with a new mnemonic to help you learn the names of the eight planets in their correct sequence from the sun.

Answer key:

1. a) solar system b) distance c) orbit d) astronomers

2. a) Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptuneb) 76 yearsc) A planet must orbit the sun; be large enough to have almost a round shape; and have its own clear orbit.d) Neptunee) dwarf planetsf) Clyde Tombaugh

3. a) A way (mnemonic) to remember the names of the nine planets in the past.

b) In a news article on ABC.com, the following sentences were suggested as possibilities:

My Very Extravagant Mother Just Sent Us Nachos.

My Very Elderly Mother Just Sits Up Nights.

Major Volcanoes Erupt, Making Jolts, Shaking, Unsteadying Nerves.

Make Very Extraordinary Meals of Jell-O, Strawberries and Unsalted Nuts.

Mary's Violet Eyes Make Jack Stare Until Noticed.