4th Grade Science
Sun, Moon and Stars
Unit 2
What are Stars?
What are Stars?
At night, you've probably seen stars in the dark sky but have you ever wondered what they are made of? Stars are large, glowing balls of gases and the closest one to us is the Sun.
At night, you've probably seen stars in the dark sky but have you ever wondered what they are made of? Stars are large, glowing balls of gases and the closest one to us is the Sun.
Because the Sun is closer in distance to Earth, it appears bigger and brighter than other stars. In fact, the Sun isn't big at all when compared to other stars galaxies away.
Because the Sun is closer in distance to Earth, it appears bigger and brighter than other stars. In fact, the Sun isn't big at all when compared to other stars galaxies away.
Watch this short video to learn more about stars!
The Earth and its Movement
The Earth and its Movement
In our solar system, planets orbit about an axis AND around the sun. Because of each planet's different orbit, they can't be seen from Earth with the naked eye.
In our solar system, planets orbit about an axis AND around the sun. Because of each planet's different orbit, they can't be seen from Earth with the naked eye.
Earth orbits around the Sun as the Moon orbits around the Earth. Earth's rotation upon a tilted axis from the North to South Pole creates days and its orbit around the sun spans 365 days.
Earth orbits around the Sun as the Moon orbits around the Earth. Earth's rotation upon a tilted axis from the North to South Pole creates days and its orbit around the sun spans 365 days.
Play this Planets Quizizz to test your knowledge about our solar system!
Our Solar System Planets
Our Solar System Planets
The composition of planets in our solar system follows:
The composition of planets in our solar system follows:
- 4 inner planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars
- 4 outer planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune (Pluto is too small to be considered a planet)
- Inner planets are closer to the Sun and are rocky and dense
- Outer planets are large and gaseous
- An asteroid belt separates the 2 groups in the composition of planets
Our Exploration in Space
Our Exploration in Space
Satellites
Satellites
In order to help us explore space and do important things on Earth, satellites are used. These vessels help scientists study Earth and the rest of space while also connecting us.
International Space Station
International Space Station
The International Space Station is a huge satellite that orbits Earth and is where our astronauts work!
Technology and Instruments
Technology and Instruments
You probably know or are a person who uses glasses. Have you ever wondered how glasses work?
You probably know or are a person who uses glasses. Have you ever wondered how glasses work?
Lenses are used to make eyeglasses, telescopes or microscopes to better see things too far away or too small to be visible.
Lenses are used to make eyeglasses, telescopes or microscopes to better see things too far away or too small to be visible.
Lenses work by bending light beams (this is known as light refraction) which can have the power to magnify things from far away or things invisible to the naked eye.
Lenses work by bending light beams (this is known as light refraction) which can have the power to magnify things from far away or things invisible to the naked eye.
Watch this Bill Nye video to learn more about lenses!
Interact with Space and Planets with this Game -->
Interact with Space and Planets with this Game -->
