1. The Sun pg. 535 The Sun is a medium-sized yellow star at the center of our solar system. The Sun is the largest object in our solar system and has the most gravity. The Sun provides the heat and light necessary for life to exist on Earth. Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the Sun can be harmful to living organisms.

2. The Moon (pgs. 536-537) The moon is a giant rock in space that has very little atmosphere. The moon has 1/6 the mass of Earth, so it has 1/6 the gravity of Earth. The moon rotates on its own axis while it revolves around Earth. Earth’s gravity holds the moon in its orbit. The moon’s gravity causes daily tides on Earth.

3. Our Solar System (pgs. 560-561) The Sun and cluster of bodies around it make up our solar system. Our solar system is made up of: JUST ONE star (our Sun), 8 planets, dwarf planets, meteors, comets, and asteroids. Asteroids are small bodies made of rock and metal. Comets are small icy bodies with long, narrow ellipses. Distances between solar objects are measured in Astronomical Units.

4. POD 10/20/14 List the 8 planets of our solar system. Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

5. Gravity pgs. 430 and 431 The more mass an object has, the more gravitational force the object has as well (and vice versa). If the mass increases, the gravitational force of that object will increase (and vice versa). Review: As the distance between two objects increases, the gravitational pull between them.

6. Gravity pgs. 430 and 431 The more mass an object has, the more gravitational force the object has as well (and vice versa). If the mass increases, the gravitational force of that object will increase (and vice versa). Review: As the distance between two objects increases, the gravitational pull between them.

7. Inner and Outer Planets (pgs. 561-563) The time for one rotation determines the length of the planet’s day. The time for one revolution around the Sun determines the length of the planet’s year. A planet’s size determines how strong gravity is at its surface. Strong gravity holds gases closer to the planet, creating a thicker atmosphere. – A planet’s atmosphere will help determine the temperature of the planet.