The Universe and Our Solar SystemLesson 18

What is the universe?

Universe: The huge space which contains all of the matter and

energy in existence.

The universe is everything you see in the night sky and more that you

can not see!

Many scientists believe the universe has evolved over the last

15 billion years but it is hard to say for sure.

We are still learning about

what makes up the Universe. We are far from knowing everything about

it.

Facts and figures about the Universe are subject to change with new information from astronomers.

The universe is filled with

evolving objects. The universe is filled with

stars, galaxies,

solar systems , asteroids

and comets.

Star: A ball of gas that shines brightly. Stars also give off heat.

Stars have a life cycle; they are born, burn for millions to billions of

years, and eventually die out.

Stars that are close together and rotate as a unit are called a

galaxy.

Our Sun is part of the Milky Way Galaxy.

Asteroids are chunks of rock left over from the formation of the

Solar System.

Similarly, comets are balls of ice and minerals left over from the creation of the Sun and planets.

We see them glowing in the night sky when they orbit close to the Sun and heat up, throwing off

glowing tails.

A solar system is an arrangement of planets around a central star or stars.

Our Solar System includes the Sun, the eight planets, dwarf planets,

their associated moons, and countless asteroids and comets

Let’s watch this video about our solar system.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2qf5dsyfGE

Break Time

Let’s watch another video about our solar system.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5bVZTpVxy4

Now let’s see what we remember. Take sometime to answer The

Universe and Our Solar System sheet. I will read the questions to

you and you take the time to answer the questions. After you finish answering the questions I

will go over the answers with you.

Today we learned that the Universe is made up of everything.

The Universe includes stars, galaxies, comets, asteroids, planets and solar systems.

We learned that our Solar System includes the Sun, the eight planets,

dwarf planets, their associated moons, and countless asteroids and comets.

In our next lesson we will learn about the center of our solar

system, the sun.

Keep observing the world around you!