The sun
This energy is actually called Electromagnetic Radiation. There are seven types of Electromagnetic Radiation.
Radio waves is the longest type of Electromagnetic waves and Gamma rays has the shortest wavelength. |
The Sun is a very large star made of gas. The way that the sun produces energy is called Nuclear Fusion (this is how all stars produce energy). The way this works is: 4 Hydrogen nuclei fuse together to create 1 Helium nuclei. This releases an enormous amount of energy.
All of the planets rotate around the sun because it's gravatational force is so large, which is because of it's mass. Since the Sun is the center for all planets, it is called Heliocentric Model. The sun orbits the solar systems Barycenter, which is why it's in the center. Barycenter is when two unequal masses try to balance, but it's not the very center. The constant rotation along with the tilt of Earth's axis allows us to have seasons. On the surface of the Sun, there are these darker spots called 'Sun Spots'. Sun Spots are merely cooler spots compared to other heated parts of the sun. Solar Flares are huge bursts of energy released from the sun. They are actually the reason we have Aurora's, because when the energy form the Solar Flares reaches Earth, the magnetic field redirects the energy to the North and South poles, which creates Aurora's. |
Radiation is one of three types of heat. The other two types of heat is: Conduction and Convection.
Radiation is the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves.
Conduction is the transfer of heat through solids.
Convection is the transfer of heat through liquid and gas.
Radiation is the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves.
Conduction is the transfer of heat through solids.
Convection is the transfer of heat through liquid and gas.
The EarthThe Earth is where we live. It rotates on it’s axis, which is tilted at an angle to allow us to have seasons. This is actually officially called Nutation. Nutation is the tilt of the Earth’s axis by ½ of a degree. It takes about 18-20 years to actually happen and it controls how severe the weather is on Earth. Precession, another process that happens to Earth, allows us to see different stars. Precession is when the Earth’s axis traces a cone shape over the course of 26,000 years. As an example, in 1985 you could see these constellations and then slowly over the course of many years the constellation moves and disappears until you see new constellations and stars.
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It takes one full rotation to go through 24 hours, or a day. The Earth revolves around the sun. One full revolution takes 365 days, or one year. The Earth revolves around the sun in an oval orbit, which is called elliptical. This is the first law of Kepler’s Law of Planetary Motion. The second law is that planets revolve at different speeds the closer they are. The third law is time to orbit is proportional to its distance. This basically tells you the same thing that the second law does, that the closer the planet is, the faster it will revolve and the opposite for farther away planets.
Throughout Earth’s elliptical orbit, there are places where the Earth is closest to the sun and farthest away from the sun. Perihelion happens in january when the Earth is closest to the sun. This makes the Earth spin faster and is the reason why we have shorter days in winter. Aphelion happens in July when the Earth is farthest away from the sun. This makes the Earth spin slower and allows us slower summer days. |
The MoonThe moon is a little different from Earth in more than a couple of ways. When the moon orbits Earth, it turns counter-clockwise and is in tune with it (This means that we only ever see one side of the moon). And just like the Earth, there are two points where the moon is either closest or farthest away from the Earth. Perigee is again, where the moon is closest, but to the Earth and not the Sun. Apogee is when the moon is farthest away from the Earth.
A way that the moon is important to the Earth is that it affects our tides (the Sun also plays a part in this). The moon can make our tides high or low. The difference between high and low tides is Tidal Range. There are two tides; Spring tide and Neap tide. Spring tide is when the Earth, Moon, and Sun align in a straight line (This only happens during New or Full moons). This is the largest tidal range. Neap tide is when the Earth, Moon, and Sun are formed into a right angle (This only happens during First and Last/Third quarter). This is the smallest/smaller tidal range. |
There are 8 different phases of the moon.
1. New moon 2. Waxing Crescent 3. First Quarter 4. Waxing Gibbous 5. Full moon 6. Waning Gibbous 7. Last (Third) Quarter 8. Waning Crescent Solar and Lunar eclipses are an interesting thing that doesn't happen often. A Solar Eclipse is when the Moon covers the Sun and the Earth is dark (The Moon takes away our light!) A Lunar Eclipse is when the Moon is covered in the Earth's shadow. Fun/Known Fact: Eclipses only happen during full or new moons! |
The Planets |
With 8 planets and 1 dwarf planet it's kinda hard to know what planet is 4th closest to the sun so here's a nifty list to help you remember!
1. Mercury (Rocky) 2. Venus (Rocky) 3. Earth (Rocky) 4. Mars (Rocky) 5. Jupiter (Gassy) 6. Saturn (Gassy) 7. Uranus (Gassy) 8. Neptune (Gassy) 9. Pluto (Rocky/The Dwarf Planet) |
Photos used under Creative Commons from upsidedown astronomer, apasciuto