What you MUST know! The phases of the Moon are caused by its position relative to the Earth and the Sun. The phases include new, crescent, quarter, gibbous, and full moon. Solar eclipses occur when the moon blocks sunlight from Earths’ surface Lunar eclipses occur when Earth blocks sunlight from reaching the Moons’ surface. Tides are caused by the gravitational pull by the earth Sun and Moon. Tides cause a periodic rise and fall of sea level twice daily.

Phases of the Moon

Eclipses

Lunar Eclipses

Solar Eclipses

Annular Solar Eclipse

Tides

What you MUST be able to do. Compare and contrast features of the Earth to the other inner planets. Explain why Earth is unique among all planets/moons in our solar system. Model the apparent motions of the Earth and Sun that result from Earths’ rotation. Explain how the Earth’s axial tilt causes seasons.

What you MUST be able to do. Distinguish between the autumnal equinox and the vernal equinox. Model the phases of the Moon, sequence them in order, and describe how the phases occur. Analyze how the Earth-Moon-Sun geometry causes lunar and solar eclipses. Explain how the Moon and Sun affect tides.

Origin and Evolution of the Universe SOL ES.14a, b, c, d, and e. Investigate and understand scientific concepts related to the origin and evolution of the universe, including; nebulae, the origin of stars and star systems, stellar evolution, galaxies, and cosmology (The Big Bang). Essential Questions What does the solar nebular theory state about the origin of the solar system? How do stars form? What characteristics are used to classify stars on the H-R diagram? What is our best current model of the origin of the universe?

What you MUST know! The solar nebular theory is our best current hypothesis for the origin of the solar system. The solar nebular theory explains that our solar system was formed by a rotating nebula from which the Sun and the planets developed. The dense concentrations of gas at the center of the disk eventually became the Sun. The terrestrial planets were formed from the elements that were able to condense close to the Sun. While the Jovian (gas giants) planets formed from elements that condensed farther from the Sun, where it was cooler.

What you MUST know! Stars form wherever dense clouds of interstellar gas and dust (called nebula) exist and collapse under the influence of gravity. Stars have a finite lifetime and evolve over time. The mass of a star controls its evolution, lifetime, and ultimate fate. A star changes as it ages because its composition changes. This happens as nuclear fusion reactions in its core convert elements to another. All stars start by burning Hydrogen to Helium.

Protostar Nebula

What you MUST know! Our solar system has only one star, the Sun. But more than half of all stars are members of groups of two or more stars (like Alpha Centauri A and Alpha Centauri B). Stars systems with two stars are double or binary stars, those with three are triple star systems. The Hertzsprund-Russel (H-R) diagram illustrates the relationship between absolute magnitude and the surface temperature of stars. As stars evolve, their position moves on the H-R diagram.

H-R Diagram

What you MUST know! The main characterizes used to classify stars are size, temperature, and brightness. Red giants, blue giants, white dwarfs, and yellow dwarfs can be plotted on the H-R diagram according to their brightness and surface temperature.

Stars

What you MUST know! Galaxies are collections of billions of stars. The solar system is located in the Milky Way galaxy. The Milky Way galaxy is a spiral galaxy. The basic types of galaxies are spiral, elliptical, and irregular.

Types of Galaxies There are three kinds of galaxies: irregular Elliptical Spiral Galaxy: The Milky Way

Universe

What you MUST know! Cosmology is the study of the origin and process of the formation of the universe. There are different theories that explain the creation of the but, the Big Bang theory, is our best current model. The Big Bang theory states that the universe began as a dense sphere that expanded and eventually condensed into galaxies. By observing galaxies moving away from each other, astronomers have concluded that the universe is expanding

Red Shifts indicate the universe is expanding outward Red Shifts indicate the universe is expanding outward. This is used to support the Big Bang Theory Red shifted = lower frequency = lower pitch light emitted by a source moving away from the observer

What you MUST know! Distances on Earth are often measured in units such as kilometers, but distances to stars are so large that we use a unit of measure called a light-year. A light-year is the distance light travels in one year, about 9.5 trillion kilometers. Much of our information about our galaxy and the universe comes from ground-based observations.

New ways to see the universe.

What you MUST be able to do. Explain the details of the solar nebular theory and why it is our best current hypothesis for the origin of the solar system. Describe how stars form. Compare the evolutions of stars of different masses. Identify the factors that determine how long a star will live.

What you MUST be able to do. Describe how the H-R diagram relates the basic properties of stars. Graph and interpret an H-R diagram. Predict the location of stars on the H-R diagram including red giants, blue giants, white dwarfs, yellow dwarfs, and the main sequence. Define galaxy and identify the basic types of galaxies.

What you MUST be able to do. Recognize that our solar system is located in the Milky Way galaxy. Explain the different theories about the formation of the universe. Identify the unit used to measure distance in space and explain why it is necessary.

Space Exploration SOL ES.4d Investigate and understand the history and contributions of the space program. Essential Questions How do we obtain most of our knowledge of the solar system? What are some of the contributions of the space program to our knowledge of the solar system.

What you MUST know! Much of our knowledge of the solar system is the result of space exploration efforts. The early space programs helped to speed the advancement of technology fields such as communication, space flight, and weather prediction. There have been many major events in space exploration from manned missions to unmanned robotic probes.

Unmanned Space Exploration

What you MUST know! The U.S. manned space program evolved through Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and the Space Shuttle programs, and each mission developed or advanced certain aspects of space technology. Apollo 11 was the first manned landing on the Moon.

Manned Space Exploration

Gemini Missions

Apollo to the Moon Apollo to the Moon

What you MUST know! Space technology impacts our everyday lives by spurring the development of weather forecasting, satellite communications, the search for alternate energy sources, and medical advances. The Hubble Space Telescope uses powerful optics, state-of-the-art instruments, and pointing precision to provide views of the universe that cannot be made using ground-based telescopes or other satellites.

What you MUST be able to do. Describe how early rockets and space satellites have contributed to communication and weather prediction. Explain how robotic probes are different from satellites. Identify important U.S. space missions and what each accomplished. Identify the applications of space technology to everyday life.

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