The Sun, Earth and Moon

TEKS 5.8 The student knows that there are recognizable patterns in the natural world and among the Sun, Earth and Moon system. The student is expected to: (D) identify and compare the physical characteristics of the Sun, Earth, and Moon.

Moon Earth Sun

What do you notice about the size of each object? Do any of these objects ever change location?

Let’s review some characteristics of the Sun, Earth and Moon.

The Sun… provides the heat and light necessary for all living things to survive on Earth. is really a medium sized star, but looks like the largest because it is the closest star to Earth. is made of layers of swirling hydrogen and helium gas has a temperature of about 14,000,000 °C. is 1.4 million km in diameter, which is about a million times larger than Earth! is the center of our solar system. All of the natural objects in space that orbit, or move around the sun are part of our solar system.

The Earth… is the third planet from the sun has a rocky surface and layers of melted rock and metal takes 365 days (one year) to revolve once around the sun, causing seasons takes 24 hours (one day) to rotate or turn on its axis, causing day and night has an atmosphere and constantly changing weather contains liquid water, and is the only planet that can support life

The Moon… is made of rock and dust. Scientists believe the moon’s core is made of metal. has no atmosphere, air, life, wind or weather is the brightest light in the night sky, but does not produce its own light. The moon’s light is reflected from the sun is about 1/4 the size of Earth, so it has less gravity than Earth. has landforms such as craters, lava plains, mountains, and valleys. Scientists believe the craters were formed by meteors hitting the moon's surface. revolves around the Earth and rotates on its axis about once every 29 days.

Let’s compare the characteristics of the Sun, Earth and Moon.

Characteristic Sun Earth Moon Shape sphere Color yellow blue, green and brown gray and white Diameter 1.4 million km (870,000 miles) 12,753 km (7,926 miles) 3,474 km (2,159 miles) Temperature very hot 6,000-15,000,000 °C not very hot or cold minus 88-58 °C very hot and cold minus 233-123 °C Composition swirling hydrogen and helium gas solid and liquid rock with an iron core scientists believe it has a rocky surface and a metal core Surface Features eruptions called solar flares and dark, cooler areas called sunspots craters, mountains, hills, volcanoes, oceans, rivers craters, mountains, hills, volcanic remains Atmosphere thin and only visible during a solar eclipse made up mostly of oxygen and nitrogen little or none Rotation (turn on axis) 25 days at the equator 36 days at the poles 24 hours 28 days Revolution does not revolve orbits around sun in 365 days orbits around Earth in 28 days

Let’s share what we learned about the Sun, Earth and Moon. Tell your partner or group one or two interesting things about the Sun, Earth or Moon. After everyone shares, record any new facts or information in your notebook. When you are done discussing and recording, use the questions on the next few slides to check your understanding.

Question # 1 The surface of the sun is made of _____. A. gases B. solids C. liquid D. energy

Question # 2 B A Which diagram shows the correct relationship between the sun, earth and moon? Diagram A Diagram B Both diagrams are correct Both diagrams are incorrect

Question # 3 Which of the following landforms are NOT found on both the moon and Earth? A. craters B. mountains C. oceans D. hills

Question # 4 Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the Moon? A. has oxygen B. has mountains and craters C. reflects light from the Sun D. has a gravitational pull

Question # 5 The Sun and the Earth have some features in common, including their __________. A. composition B. size C. shape D. temperature

Question # 6 When comparing the characteristics of the Earth, Sun, and Moon, what is unique about Earth? it can create its own energy it has an atmosphere it is made of rock D. it contains water in liquid form