Explore current news articles that describe newly discovered planets and how planets are formed. Register to explore the whole course here: https://school.bighistoryproject.com/bhplive?WT.mc_id=Slideshare12202017

1. BIG HISTORY PROJECT / UNIT 4 THIS THRESHOLD TODAY 1
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THIS THRESHOLD TODAY
Threshold 4: Earth & the Solar System
The fourth major threshold of increasing complexity in this course is the formation of Earth
and our Solar System. Even after millions of stars had aged and died to create new elements,
most of the atomic matter in the Universe was still hydrogen and helium. New stars continued
to form and our Sun formed about 4.5 billion years ago. Matter that was left over after the Sun’s
formation formed the planets and other orbiting bodies in the Solar System. The inner rocky
planets, like Earth, ended up containing a lot of the heaviest elements, metals like iron and
magnesium. Scientists, and all of us, continue to learn more about our Solar System and our
planet Earth.
You can join in this process of discovery by searching for news stories about Earth and the
Solar System. Use some of the suggested articles or find ones on your own that highlight new
information that you think contributes to a discussion of the formation of our Earth and the
Solar System. Use the research cards on the next page to record your source(s) and some of
the details about what you discover. Here are a couple of places to get started with your research:
• Oldest Objects in Solar System Indicate a Turbulent Beginning
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110303141544.htm
• Modeling Jupiter and Saturn’s Possible Origins
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130305174637.htm
• Our Solar System Is Not Quite as Special as Once Believed, New Research Suggests
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/11/121102151950.htm
• NASA Lunar Scientists Develop New Theory on Earth and Moon Formation
http://www.nasa.gov/topics/solarsystem/features/moon_formation.html
• Modern Plate Tectonics Arose 3.2 Billion Years Ago
http://sciencenordic.com/modern-plate-tectonics-arose-32-billion-years-ago

2. BIG HISTORY PROJECT / UNIT 4 THIS THRESHOLD TODAY 2
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THIS THRESHOLD TODAY
Threshold 4: Earth the Solar System
THRESHOLD 4
EARTH THE SOLAR SYSTEM
HEADLINE/TITLE
SOURCE/DATE
IMPORTANCE TO THIS THRESHOLD
THRESHOLD 4
EARTH AND THE SOLAR SYSTEM
HEADLINE/TITLE
SOURCE/DATE
IMPORTANCE TO THIS THRESHOLD
THRESHOLD 4
EARTH THE SOLAR SYSTEM
HEADLINE/TITLE
SOURCE/DATE
IMPORTANCE TO THIS THRESHOLD