1. The Sun, Earth and Moon

2. 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.

3. Moon
Earth
Sun

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

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

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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.

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

10. 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 °C
very hot and cold minus °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

11. 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.

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

13. 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

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

15. 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

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

17. 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