Written by L. Rigdon Illustrated by Jamie Pogue the Solar System

Written by L. Rigdon Illustrated by Jamie Pogue The Solar System

Author: L.Rigdon Illustrator: Jamie Pogue

ISBN Print: 978-1-63260-354-8 ePub: 978-1-63260-355-5

855.200.SNAP www.snaplearning.net

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author / publisher. TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction...... 4

What is a Solar System?...... 5

Earth’s Place in the Solar System...... 6-7

Objects in the Solar System...... 8

Moons...... 9

Exploring the Solar System...... 10

Other Solar Systems...... 11

Conclusion...... 12

Voices...... 13

Space Tourism...... 14-15

References...... 16

Quick Writes...... 17-18

Research Integrate and Synthesize...... 19

Oral Reading Fluency Chart...... 20

Book Check...... 21-22 INTRODUCTION

1 The night sky is full of light. Some of those gap between the stars and Earth. Alpha lights appear very close and some seem Centauri provides a good example. to be far in the distance. Some are not Compared to many stars, that star is even visible without the aid of scientific considered very close to Earth. However, instruments. While the majority of these it is four light-years away, meaning that lights, stars for example, originate from light, which travels extremely fast, takes natural sources, frequently, light emitting four years to reach Earth from Alpha from manmade objects such as aircraft Centauri. and communication satellites can be observed in the night sky. However, space holds many wonders 3 that are much closer to Earth than Alpha

2 Most of the discernible light comes from Centauri. Among other objects, there are stars. Even though many appear to be planets, asteroids, comets, and even one very close to Earth, there is a substantial special star called a sun. Collectively, these bodies are known as the solar system.

FUN FACT Alpha Centauri is actually three stars. They are about a trillion miles apart, but they look like a single star from Earth.

4 WHAT IS A SOLAR SYSTEM?

4 Each solar system has one or more suns. of its own. However, the planets are less Unlike many solar systems, the one powerful. While each planet tries to tug containing Earth only has one sun. This against the sun, the sun tugs back. sun is large and powerful, a power that

stems from the force of gravity. Briefly In other terms, the two bodies are attracted 6 put, the larger the object, the more to each other. This mutual attraction gravitational pull the object has on other between the sun and planets keeps the objects. planets tethered to the sun in Earth’s solar system without letting them float away. As 5 Think of the force of gravity as an the planets pull against the sun, they also invisible game of tug-of-war in which the move around the sun in an oval-shaped sun is the dominant player. Like the sun, orbit known as an ellipse. each planet, such as Earth, has gravity

THE SUN

5 EARTH’S PLACE IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM

THE EIGHT PLANETS The diagram illustrates the relative size of the planets in Earth’s Solar System

7 Scientists recognize eight planets in Below are the eight planets. The number 8 Earth’s solar system, including Earth. next to each planet is the planet’s Other objects that behave differently proximity to the sun, in millions of miles. do not qualify as planets.

PLANET PROXIMITY

6 PLANET EARTH

9 Of the eight planets, Earth is the third Life requires air and water to survive. A 10 planet from the sun. Earth’s solar system planet such as Mars is also terrestrial, has two types of planets: terrestrial and but it does not have liquid water or gas. Earth is terrestrial, which means that breathable air. Mars, however, does have it has a solid surface, while gas planets are water in the form of ice located in the composed of swirling gases and liquids. polar ice caps and, in places, beneath the Scientists believe that terrestrial planets shallow Martian surface. are most likely to support life and Earth is the only known planet that has The right temperature is also necessary to 11 living entities such as plants, animals, sustain life. The planets closest to the sun, and humans. such as Mercury, are much too hot and the farthest ones, Neptune for example, are too cold. However, Earth’s temperature, the product of Earth’s proximity to the EARTH: TERRESTRIAL sun, has proven to be conducive to various life forms.

JUPITER: GAS

7 OBJECTS IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM

12 Other terrestrial objects exist in Earth’s size that they burn up in the atmosphere solar system besides planets. For instance, surrounding Earth. a group of asteroids orbits the sun

between Mars and Jupiter. Rocks of all Comets also orbit within the solar system 14 shapes and sizes make up the asteroid belt. for various periods. In ancient times, Additionally, some asteroids orbit the sun some people thought comets were omens outside of the belt, sometimes crossing of good or bad events to come. Unlike the paths with Earth. rocky asteroids, comets are constituted of an icy core covered in space dust. As 13 Some scientists believe that an asteroid a comet orbits the sun, the ice melts and hit Earth and was responsible for the creates a gas tail. In fact, comets have extinction of the dinosaurs. However, two tails: one made of gas and the other most of these smaller bodies that made of dust. approach Earth are so insignificant in

Halley’s Comet is expected to return July 18, 2061

8 MOONS

EARTH’S MOON

15 A natural object that orbits a larger by gravitational fields that pull smaller natural object is called a natural satellite. items toward them. Despite the sun’s Earth’s moon is, therefore, a satellite of strong gravitational field, moons do not Earth. Every planet in the solar system orbit the sun. Moons are closer to planets. beyond Earth has moons. Since Earth’s moon is closer to Earth than the sun, Earth’s gravitational field

16 As noted previously, large objects, such controls the moon’s orbit. as the sun and Earth, are surrounded

There are approximately 1,000 satellites currently in orbit.

9 EXPLORING THE SOLAR SYSTEM

17 People have observed the sky for potential danger, most missions have thousands of years. With the naked eye, been unmanned. ancient stargazers could see five planets as well as comets and meteors. Most of the The unmanned Luna 2 was the first 19 names for planets and moons come from spacecraft on the moon in 1959. Other either Greek or Roman mythology. For unmanned missions have flown by, example, Mars is named after the Roman orbited, or landed on all the planets. These god of war. missions have provided scientists with valuable pictures and information. The

18 Modern stargazers, on the other hand, most famous manned flight, of course, actually have ventured out into space in was the 1969 lunar landing when man the form of both manned and unmanned first walked on Earth’s moon. missions. Because of the cost and

“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” - Neil Armstrong Photo by Apollo 11 Commander, Neil Armstrong Neil Apollo 11 Commander, by Photo

10 OTHER SOLAR SYSTEMS

From NASA Hubble Space Telescope NASA From ANTENNAE GALAXIES THE MILKY WAY

ANDROMEDA GALAXY THE WHIRLPOOL GALAXY

20 Earth’s solar system is just one of many in solar systems and galaxies. They focus the universe. No one knows exactly how on the stars to determine which stars many other solar systems exist. also might be suns. These potential suns may have their own systems of planets

21 Within the universe, there are numerous revolving around them just as the planets galaxies. Some of these galaxies appear to in Earth’s solar system revolve around be swirling whirlpools of stars in space. the sun.

22 Scientists use manmade satellites, space probes, and telescopes to detect other

11 CONCLUSION

23 Throughout history, people have looked MOON ROCKET up in the night sky with wonder. Some believed that Mars was home to a vast civilization, similar in some manner to the ones found on Earth. Some claimed to observe the bodies of gods in the planets and the constellations, sometimes referring to the planets as heavenly bodies.

24 Although many still look upon the bodies in the night sky with awe even today, modern science has done much to provide a more rational view of the solar system. Even so, there is much more to be learned.

25 Therefore, many more space missions are planned for the future. These adventures might be funded both by various governments and by private corporations. While again, most of these missions are to be unmanned, there are plans for a continuation of manned explorations of space. For example, the next most likely target for a manned landing is the planet Mars. 12 (A fictitious page from a mad scientist’s lab notebook.)

I have successfully navigated my way to the center of the 26 earth. Popularly believed to be a blazing hot ball of solid iron, that theory now is debunked thoroughly.

Within my drill vessel, I navigated through crust, mantle, outer core, and when I 27 arrived at the inner core, an unparalleled phenomenon occurred.

Suddenly, I was suspended in space among the stars. I had entered a universe 28 that I was familiar with; however, it was exponentially smaller. I was a tiny fragment floating among burning balls of gas and dust and light.

The area from which I had emerged appeared as a blue swirling vortex. I piloted 29 my drill ship back into the vortex where I was reabsorbed and funneled back through the layers of earth.

The entire universe begins again in the center of the earth! I am a witness, my 30 mind is blown, and the very foundations of science have been shaken to the core.

13 SPACE TOURISM View of the crescent moon through the top of the earth's atmosphere. Photographed above 21.5°N, 113.3°E by International Space Station crew Expedition 13 over the South China Sea, just south of Macau (NASA image ID: ISS013-E-54329). image (NASA

31 Imagine you are on an airplane, flying the vast expanse of space. You press your up toward the big blue sky. As you head against the window and look down ascend higher and higher, the colors to see the white and blue surface of Earth, outside your window begin to change. gracefully curving beneath you. The blue slowly begins to fade to purple

and then to black. Suddenly, you After a few wondrous minutes, you return 33 begin to feel weightless in your seat. to Earth’s sky and gravity slowly pulls you back into your seat. You have successfully 32 You look out your window again and see had your first space tourism experience. an infinity of stars stretching out into

14 34 Many companies are looking into the a space station as a tourist. Each of them future, with the hopes of sending paid paid 20 million dollars or more for the SPACE passengers into space. Some plans, like experience. All of them stayed on the the example mentioned above, involve International Space Station for 8-15 days. suborbital flights in which planes pass the TOURISM Karman Line, which is the official space Even more futuristic and ambitious, some 36 boundary. One company proposes a flight companies want to build inflatable hotels that would last about 2.5 hours and cost in space. Some have proposed trips that $200,000 a person! take passengers around the moon. Maybe one day you will have the opportunity to

35 Other forms of space tourism involve visit space! staying on space stations in orbit around Earth. Thus far, seven people have visited

15 REFERENCES

DK Publishing. First Space Encyclopedia.

Simon, S. Our Solar System.

Solar System (National Geographic): science.nationalgeographic.com/science/space/solar-system

Solar System Exploration: Planets: solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets

Images Page 5 The Sun by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly of NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory Source: NASA/SDO (AIA). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Sun_by_the_Atmospheric_Imaging_Assembly_of_NASA%27s_Solar_Dynamics_Observatory_-_20100819. jpg

Page 7 The Earth seen from Apollo 17 by NASA Source: http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/imgcat/html/object_page/a17_h_148_22727.html http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Earth_seen_from_Apollo_17_with_transparent_background.png

Page 8 Lspn Halley’s Comet by NASA/W. Liller. Source: NSSDC’s Photo Gallery (NASA) http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lspn_comet_halley.jpg

Page 9 Full Moon by Luc Viatour. Source: www.lucnix.be (CC BY-SA 3.0) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Full_Moon_Luc_Viatour.jpg

Page 10 Aldrin Apollo 11 by NASA. Source: http://grin.hq.nasa.gov/ABSTRACTS/GPN-2001-000013.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Aldrin_Apollo_11.jpg

Page 11 Antennae Galaxies by ESA/Hubble & NASA Source: http://www.spacetelescope.org/images/potw1345a/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Antennae_Galaxies_reloaded.jpg

Artist’s conception of the Milky Way galaxy by Nick Risinger http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Milky_Way_Galaxy.jpg

Andromeda Galaxy by NASA/JPL-Caltech http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Andromeda_galaxy_2.jpg

Whirlpool Galaxy by NASA and European Space Agency http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Messier51_sRGB.jpg

Page 12 Ksc-69pc-442 by NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ksc-69pc-442.jpg

16 Quick Writes

17 Quick Writes

18 Research ntegrate 4-5 and Synthesie B RECTONS

Integrate or synthesize information from two sources on the same topic. Use this book as one of the sources. Enter the titles or websites of the two sources in the space provided. Enter 4-5 facts from each source. Using the facts from both sources, write a short research paper of one or two paragraphs.

1 Source 2 Source

Writing Space

19 Oral Reading Fluency Chart

Book Check Rubric Weigh score by 1

No Attempt Below Basic Basic Proficient Advanced

Student makes no Student makes an Student completes Student completes Student completes attempt to complete attempt to complete most of the elements all elements of the all elements of the the task. the task. of the tasks. task. task. Task

Student demon- Student demon- Student demon- Student demon- strates little or no strates a strates an under- strates deep under- understanding of the limited understand- standing of the text. standing of the text. task. ing of the text.

Student provides Student supports Student completely limited or no the answer with evi- supports the answer evidence to support dence from the text. with solid evidence their answer. from the text. Evidence Understanding

20 Total: Book Check : Name: The Solar System Date: 32

Select a paragraph. Write a question and answer. Cite details from the text to support the answer. 4

Paragraph

State the main idea of the book. Create a new title for the book that restates the main idea. Quote at least two key ideas that support your new title. 4

Explain the relationship between the events, ideas, or individuals of the book. How do they contribute to your understanding of the central idea of the book? 4

Select 2 words or phrases from the book that you highlighted and discussed. Explain why you selected these words or phrases and how you would use them in the future. 4

21 Explain how the author organized the book. Identify the primary text structure. Cite at least 3 signal words or phrases as evidence of the text structure. 4

What is the primary point of view and purpose of the book? 4

Select a text feature from the book. Explain how it contributes to or clarifies your understanding of the text. Quote from the text. 4

What claim does the author make in paragraph 34? Quote statements from paragraphs 34- 35 that provide evidence or reasons to support that claim. 4

EAN