This document discusses the solar system and universe. It aims to teach about the bodies in space, including planets, moons, stars, galaxies and black holes. It explains that planets orbit the sun due to gravity, and moons orbit planets for the same reason. It also discusses the different types of galaxies and useful orbits for satellites, such as polar and equatorial orbits which are used for weather, spy and communication satellites. The outcomes are to understand these concepts and the relative positions and motions of celestial bodies in our solar system and universe.

1. Exploring our Solar System
P2f part 1

2. Objectives
In this lesson we should learn:
• about the bodies in space that make up
the Universe
• why planets and moons stay in orbits
• about the planets in our Solar System,
producing a model of the Solar System

3. Outcomes
Foundation Paper
You should now be able to..
• Know that: Earth is one of a number of planets that orbit
the Sun: the Moon orbits Earth; Earth orbits the Sun and
the relative positions of Earth, Sun and planets
• Know that the Universe consists of: stars and planets,
comets and meteors, black holes, large groups of stars
called galaxies
• Describe why stars can be seen even though they are
far away
• Describe that gravitational force determines the motion
of planets and satellites
•
Higher paper
• Know the relative positions of planets, stars, comets,
meteors, galaxies and black holes
• Know that circular motion requires a centripetal force
and that gravity provides the centripetal force for orbital
motion

4. The Universe
Star
Moon
Meteor
Sun
Galaxy
Asteroid
Cluster
Planet
Earth
Universe
Can you put them in
order of size?

5. Universe

6. Our universal address would be:
Universe
Weatherhead high School,
Cluster
Wallasey,
Galaxy
Star and Sun
Planet and Earth
Moon
Asteroid
Meteor
Breck road,
CH44 3HS,
England,
Europe,
Earth,
Sol,
Milky Way Galaxy,
Andromeda Cluster,
The Universe.

7. Galaxies

8. 3 Types of Galaxies
1)
Elliptical – oval shaped, no arms, little gas
or dust clouds
2) Spiral – bulging nucleus (the center) with
a least two arms that contain great
clouds of gas & dust coming out on
opposite sides (3/4 of all)
3) Irregular – stars spread unevenly, no
distinct shape, least common

10. Elliptical

11. Spiral

12. Barred Spiral

13. Irregular

14. Black holes
• The gravity on neutron stars, white dwarfs
and black dwarfs is so strong that it
crushes atoms, so the matter in stars is
millions of times denser than anything on
earth.
• A black hole is formed if enough of this
dense matter is left behind after a
supernova explosion then the
gravitational field is so strong that nothing
can escape not even light.
• Scientists know they exist using x-rays

15. Black
Holes

18. Black Holes
• The intense
gravitational field left
when a giant star
collapses

19. Satellites
Path followed
if gravity
switched off
Pull of gravity
Earth
Path followed
by satellite

20. Useful orbits
There are TWO main orbits that are
useful called POLAR and EQUATORIAL.
POLAR -The orbit is close
to the Earth, only just
above the atmosphere.
With a good camera you
can see the headlines on a
newspaper!

21. Polar orbits
Because the Earth spins the satellite
will ‘see’ every part of the Earth once
every 24 hours.
This orbit is used for spy and weather
satellites.

22. Equatorial orbits
At the right distance the satellite will take
24 hours to orbit the Earth. Because the
Earth is also spinning once each 24 hours
the satellite stays above the same place on
the Earth all the time. We call this a
GEOSTATIONARY orbit.
This orbit is used for communication
satellites, like Sky TV.

23. Outcomes
Foundation Paper
You should now be able to..
Know that: Earth is one of a number of planets that orbit
the Sun: the Moon orbits Earth; Earth orbits the Sun and
the relative positions of Earth, Sun and planets
Know that the Universe consists of: stars and planets,
comets and meteors, black holes, large groups of stars
called galaxies
Describe why stars can be seen even though they are
far away
Describe that gravitational force determines the motion
of planets and satellites
Higher paper
Know the relative positions of planets, stars, comets,
meteors, galaxies and black holes
Know that circular motion requires a centripetal force
and that gravity provides the centripetal force for orbital
motion

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