THE EARTH IN SPACETHE EARTH IN SPACE

The Earth in SpaceThe Earth in Space

This is the only planet This is the only planet supporting life and has supporting life and has the most varied surfacethe most varied surface

It is 4.6 billion years oldIt is 4.6 billion years old It is the densest body in It is the densest body in

the Solar Systemthe Solar System It has one moonIt has one moon

How is the Solar System made up?How is the Solar System made up?

• Our Solar System has Our Solar System has eighteight planets that orbit a planets that orbit a big star called the Sunbig star called the Sun

• All the planets orbit the All the planets orbit the Sun in elliptical pathsSun in elliptical paths

• The planets, asteroids and The planets, asteroids and comets in the Solar comets in the Solar System are loose particles System are loose particles left over from the formation left over from the formation of the Sunof the Sun

How is the Solar System made up?How is the Solar System made up?

The solar system is made up of The solar system is made up of two parts:two parts:

The inner solar system contains The inner solar system contains Mercury, Venus, Earth Mercury, Venus, Earth and and Mars. Mars. These four planets are closest to These four planets are closest to the Sunthe Sun

The outer solar system contains The outer solar system contains Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune Neptune

What differences are between the What differences are between the Earth and other planets?Earth and other planets?

MercuryMercuryThis is a small rocky planet which is the closest to the Sun. It has an extreme temperature range. Some This is a small rocky planet which is the closest to the Sun. It has an extreme temperature range. Some scientists think volcanoes are active on this planetscientists think volcanoes are active on this planet

VenusVenusThis is a small, rocky planet with layers of yellow clouds made of sulphuric acid. It is very hot(about 400ºC) This is a small, rocky planet with layers of yellow clouds made of sulphuric acid. It is very hot(about 400ºC) and extremely windy. It is the second planet from the Sunand extremely windy. It is the second planet from the Sun

EarthEarthThis is the only planet supporting life and has the most varied surface. It is 4.6 billion years old. It is the This is the only planet supporting life and has the most varied surface. It is 4.6 billion years old. It is the densest body in the Solar System. It has a moondensest body in the Solar System. It has a moon

MarsMarsThis is the fourth planet from the Sun. It is cold and lifeless with permanent ice caps. It is often called the This is the fourth planet from the Sun. It is cold and lifeless with permanent ice caps. It is often called the “Red planet”. The first spacecraft(Mariner 4) landed on it 1965“Red planet”. The first spacecraft(Mariner 4) landed on it 1965

JupiterJupiterThis is the largest planet: It is more than twice as massive as all the other planets combined! It is a giant gas This is the largest planet: It is more than twice as massive as all the other planets combined! It is a giant gas planet and the fifth planet from the Sun. It has a special feature called “the great red spot”planet and the fifth planet from the Sun. It has a special feature called “the great red spot”

SaturnSaturnThis is the second largest planet. It has beautiful rings made of ice which can be seen from Earth. Its name This is the second largest planet. It has beautiful rings made of ice which can be seen from Earth. Its name is the root of the English word “Saturday”is the root of the English word “Saturday”

UranusUranusThis planet was visited by the spacecraft Voyager 2 in 1986. It is a blue-green colour and has a faint ring This planet was visited by the spacecraft Voyager 2 in 1986. It is a blue-green colour and has a faint ring system. It spins differently to other planetssystem. It spins differently to other planets

NeptuneNeptuneThis is the eight planet from the Sun and is a giant gas planet with eight moons –the largest one called This is the eight planet from the Sun and is a giant gas planet with eight moons –the largest one called “Triton”“Triton”

What consequences do the Earth’s What consequences do the Earth’s movements have?movements have?

Our planet is in continuous Our planet is in continuous movement. It makes two movement. It makes two movements: movements:

Rotation:Rotation:

The Earth makes a complete The Earth makes a complete rotation on its axis, from west rotation on its axis, from west to east, every 24 hours, it to east, every 24 hours, it causes the alternating of causes the alternating of days days and and nights nights

What consequences do the Earth’s What consequences do the Earth’s movements have?movements have?

Revolution:Revolution: The Earth moves around the sun, in an elliptical orbit. It The Earth moves around the sun, in an elliptical orbit. It

takes 365 days, to make a complete orbit.takes 365 days, to make a complete orbit.This movement has two effects: the succesion of This movement has two effects: the succesion of seasons, seasons, and the different length of days and nights and the different length of days and nights

How is the Earth represented?How is the Earth represented?

The most accurate way to show the whole world is The most accurate way to show the whole world is on a on a globe. . This is because a globe, being round, This is because a globe, being round, shows the actual shape of the Earth. To help us shows the actual shape of the Earth. To help us find places, imaginary lines called find places, imaginary lines called latitude latitude and and longitude, longitude, are drawn onto the globeare drawn onto the globe

How is the Earth represented?How is the Earth represented?

Another type of representation of the Earth’s surface is a Another type of representation of the Earth’s surface is a mapmap, but it is impossible to draw the Earth accurately on a , but it is impossible to draw the Earth accurately on a piece of paper. That is because the Earth is round and a piece of paper. That is because the Earth is round and a piece of paper is flat. Some places have to be stretched piece of paper is flat. Some places have to be stretched and other squashed to make them fit.and other squashed to make them fit.

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How is the Earth represented?How is the Earth represented?

There are complex mathematical formulae, called There are complex mathematical formulae, called projectionsprojections, to convert a sphere into a plane. , to convert a sphere into a plane. Each type of projection represents some areas Each type of projection represents some areas better than others, but there is always distortion.better than others, but there is always distortion.