Our Planet Earth and The Solar System

Stars The Sun is the biggest and closest star to Earth. The Sun is very important because it gives us light and heat. A group of stars is called a Galaxy. Our galaxy is called the Milky Way.

Planets All planets orbit a star because they need light. They spin around an axis and orbit around a star. The planet we live on is called Earth. It spins on its axis in 24 hours and orbits our star the Sun in 1 year.

Satellites orbit a planet. Our satellite is called the Moon. Comets are made of ice and rocks. Asteroids are giant rocks. When they fall to Earth they are called meteorites.

The Solar System How many planets orbit the sun? Mercury Venus Earth Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune The Sun

Hot and Cold Which are the hottest/inner planets? - Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars Why? - Because they are close to the Sun. Which are the coldest/outer planets? - Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune Why? - Because they are far away from the Sun.

Earth’s Orbit Like all planets, Earth orbits the Sun. It takes 1 year to orbit the Sun. 1 year = 365 days This movement causes the FOUR SEASONS What are the four seasons? Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. How long does it take for Earth to orbit the Sun? It takes one year. One year is 365 days.

The Four Seasons

Earth’s Spinning We know the Earth orbits the Sun once a year. But, the Earth also spins on its own invisible axis. The Earth takes one day to spin around. 1 day = 24 hours When the Earth spins, half is in the Sun’s light (day) and half is in the Sun’s dark shadow (night). How long does it take for Earth to spin on its axis? It takes one day. One day is 24 hours.

Day and Night Day Night