A short description about the universe and celestial bodies.

1. Ceip almirante laulhé

2. COMPONENTS OF THE UNIVERSE
The universe consists of all the celestial
bodies in the galaxies and intergalactic
space. We can see some celestial bodies
from Earth, but most of them are
invisible to the naked eye*.
STARS
Stars are giant spheres of gas that
produce energy. This energy generates
light and heat.
The Sun is the brightest star in the sky
because it is much closer to Earth than
any other star.
CONSTELLATIONS
Constellations are groups of stars that form
patterns in the sky.
Different constellations are visible at
different times of the night because the Earth
rotates on its axis.
We see differents constellations in
different seasons because the Earth revolves*
around the Sun.
We see different constellations in the
northern hemisphere and the southern
hemisphere.
* Naked eye: a simple vista
* To revolve: girar
* Held together: se mantienen juntos
GALAXIES
Galaxies are groups of billions of stars, planets,
gas clouds and rock fragments. They are held
together* by the force of gravity.
The solar system belongs to a Galaxy called the
Milky Way.
Our Sun is located in one of the galaxy’s arms,
far away from the centre.

3. Now it’s your turn!
1. Make a simple diagram about stars,
constellations and galaxies.
2. Circle the right option.
- The universe consists of all the planets / the
celestial bodies.
- The Sun is / is not the brightest star in the sky.
- Our sun is located at the centre / far away
from the centre of the galaxy.
- Our galaxy is called the Milky Way / Milky
Road.

4. THE SOLAR SYSTEM
Our solar system consists of the Sun and all the other celestial
bodies that revolve around it.
These celestial bodies include the planets and their satellites,
the dwarf planets, and small celestial bodies such as comets
and asteroids.
4

5. THE SUN
The Sun is the only star in the solar system. It is located at the centre. The Sun is much, much
bigger than the Earth. Think of the Sun as a football and the Earth as a pea.
◦ Asteroids are small, rocky, irregular-shaped objects that orbit the Sun.
They are mostly found in two regions: the asteroid belt and the Kuiper belt.
◦ Meteorites are usually small fragments of asteroids. When meteorites enter the
Earth’s atmosphere and burn up*, they leave fiery trails* called shooting stars.
◦ Comets are giant balls of ice and dust. Comets orbit the Sun in a long, elliptical path.
Their paths take them very close to the Sun and then far away again. When they get
close to the Sun, comets show bright tails. Comets take a long time to orbit the Sun. This
is why Halley’s Comet can only be seen from Earth once every 75 years, when it comes
close to our planet.
* To burn up: desintegrarse
* Fiery trail: rastro encendido
SMALL CELESTIAL BODIES

6. Now it’s your turn!
1. Match to make sentences.
Shooting stars are giant balls of ice and dust.
Asteroids are trails left in the sky by
meteorites.
Comets are small and rocky objects.
2. True or false?
- Asteroids enter the Earth’s atmosphere and burn up.
- Comet’s path is elliptical.
- The Sun is a celestial body.
3. The last time Halley’s Comet was seen from
Earth was 1986. When will we see it again?

7. THE PLANETS
DWARF PLANETS
The planets are large, spherical celestial bodies that orbit the Sun.
At the same time, each planet spins* on its axis*.
The four planets nearest to the Sun are called the inner planets. They are mostly made of
rock.
The four outer planets are much larger and are mostly made of gas. They are
also called gas giants.
Most planets are orbited by smaller celestial bodies called satellites, or moons.
Dwarf planets are spherical celestial bodies, much smaller than planets, which orbit the Sun.
Pluto is a dwarf planet.
* To spin: girar
* Axis: eje

9. Now it’s your turn!
1. Name the following planets.
- The fourth planet from the Sun.
- The largest planet.
- The nearest planet to the Sun.
2. Make a chart of the inner and outer planets.