THE EARTH IN SPACE

Man has been inquisitive about the sky, the moon and the stars for a very long time. Now, a lot has been known about the component of the universe and other celestial bodies.

 

THE SOLAR SYSTEM

The sun and all the bodies orbiting round it makes up the SOLAR SYSTEM. The planets and their moons are the main bodies that revolve round the sun.

Other bodies in the solar system are ASTEROIDS, COMETS, and METEROIDS

Nearest to the sun is mercury, the smallest of the planets. Then come Venus, Earth, Mass, Jupiter[the biggest planet], Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. The distance across the solar system is about 12000million kilometres.

 

EVALUATION

1. Give the names of the biggest and the smallest planet.
2. State the nine planets with their distance from their sun.
3. Identify two examples of other bodies found in the solar system.

 

ROTATION AND REVOLUTION OF THE EARTH AND MOON

THE EARTH

The earth is the third planet from the sun and it is the only known planet in the universe that harbours living things. The earth contains water which in addition to the oxygen assists in supporting life on earth.

 

The earth does not produce light hence it is said to be non-luminous. While those heavenly bodies that give out light, such as the stars and the sun are said to be luminous. The earth has only one satellite called the moon. The moon revolves round the earth. The earth rotates about its axis giving rise to day and night.

 

THE SUN

The sun is the single biggest star in the universe that supplies all planets light and heat. The sun does not rotate. Earth revolves round the sun giving rise to seasons. The earth takes approximately 365 days to revolve round the sun. There is no water or atmosphere in the sun.

 

THE MOON

The moon is the only earth satellite that revolves round its axis. The moon gives a reflection of light from the sun and supplies the earth with moon light. The moon is non- luminous and has no life on it.

 

EVALUATION

1. What do you know about the sun and the moon?
2. State the effects of the sun on the earth

 

DESCRIPTION OF ECLIPSE, CLIMATE, AND SEASONS

Eclipse of the sun; This occurs when the moon moves between the sun and the earth and all are exactly in a straight line. Eclipse of the moon ; It occurs when the earth is between the sun and the moon and the three are exactly on a straight line.

NOTE: There is nothing like eclipse of the earth.

 

EVALUATION

1. What is eclipse?
2. Discuss eclipse of the sun and of the moon.

 

CLIMATE AND SEASONS

Climate can be defined as the average weather condition of a particular area for a given period of time.

 

SEASONS

The REVOLVING of the earth about the sun gives rise to seasons.

Different parts of the surface of the earth have the sun shinning on them at different times of the year. There is a time when there are shorter days and longer nights during some months in a year, and also shorter nights and longer days during some other months.

 

There are also some months during which the days and nights are equal in duration. This happens because the earth moves in an orbit around the sun. The earth tilts in opposite direction twice a year, hence, giving rise to two seasons –Rainy and Dry seasons.

 

DAY AND NIGHT

The sun supplies the earth warmth and light. The earth is spherical in shape. When the earth rotates about its axis round the sun, part of its surface is expose to sunlight while the rest remain in darkness. The part exposed to sunlight experiences DAY while the part in the darkness experiences NIGHTS.

 

EVALUATION

1. What is climate?
2. Explain how revolution of the earth caused seasons.

 

GENERAL EVALUATION

1. Give the names of the biggest and the smallest planet
2. State the nine planets with their distance from their sun
3. Identify two examples of other bodies found in the solar system
4. What is climate?
5. Explain how revolution of the earth caused seasons.

 

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

1. The sixth planet from the sun is ___ A. Pluto   Uranus  C. Saturn  D.  Jupiter.
2. The science of moving planetary bodies is ___ A. astronaut B. stargazine
3. geography D. geology.
4. The revolution of the earth round the sun causes ___ A. days B. night C. seasons
5. noon.
6. The sun and all the bodies orbiting round it makes up the A. solar system B. galaxy
7. meteoroids D. comets.
8. Other bodies in the solar system include the following except ___ A. asteroid
9. comets C. water D. meteoroids.

 

THEORY

1. Write briefly on eclipse of the sun and moon.
2. Explain how revolution of the earth caused seasons.
3. Briefly discuss the sun, the earth and the moon

 

See also

WEIGHTLESSNESS

SPACE TRAVEL

CALCULATION OF GRAVITATIONAL FORCES

FORCES

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION