1. Natural Sciences and Technology Grade 6
Term 4: Planet Earth and Beyond
The Solar System
(ppt 4)

2. Natural Sciences and Technology - Grade 6
Topic 1 The Solar System
Moons
Natural Sciences and Technology - Grade 6

3. Natural Sciences and Technology - Grade 6
Earth’s Satellite
Natural Sciences and Technology - Grade 6

4. Natural Sciences and Technology - Grade 6
Earth’s Satellite
Moon = Luna = Selene = Maan = Inyanga.
Natural satellite means the moon occurs naturally and orbits the Earth.
The Moon is 1/3 the size of Earth.
It is the fifth largest moon in the Solar System.
Natural Sciences and Technology - Grade 6

5. Earth’s only natural Satellite
Has no air, very little water or life.
Gravity is one fifth [1/5th] of Earth’s.
The footprint of the first person that stepped on the Moon.
The Moon does not have an atmosphere and no air, water or life as we know it.
Because there is no weather on the Moon that is why impact craters remain and why the foot print is on the Moon
Gravity on the Moon is only 1/5th that of Earth that is why we appear to float on the Moon (here you can do a quick activity based on each learners weight and they can calculate how much they would weigh on the Moon [learners weight x 0.165].
The USA’s NASA Apollo 11 mission in 1969 was the first manned Moon landing.
The first person to set foot on the Moon was Neil Armstrong (his foot print is on the Moon)
The Earth’s tides are largely caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon (
(You could also do an activity and link to technology about living on the Moon see for ideas and a lesson plan)
Natural Sciences and Technology - Grade 6

6. Natural Sciences and Technology - Grade 6
Facts about the Moon
It has a rocky surface.
Craters can be seen that are caused by asteroids and other space rocks that hit the Moon.
It has larger mountains that appear lighter.
The darker shades of the Moon are large flat surfaces known as plains.
Natural Sciences and Technology - Grade 6

7. Natural Sciences and Technology - Grade 6
Moon Shines
Reflects light from the Sun.
Appears bright because it is close to Earth.
Seen mainly at night.
Phases of the Moon depends on the Moon’s position in relation to the Sun and Earth.
The Moon does not produce energy but reflects the rays from the Sun.
In the day we sometimes do not see the moon because the Sun is much brighter than the reflection from the Moon.
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon (
Natural Sciences and Technology - Grade 6

8. Natural Sciences and Technology - Grade 6
Moons
There are other moons.
They are also satellites for different planets.
None of them give off their own light, but reflect the light of the Sun.
Two research projects:
Write 2 paragraphs on the effects of the Moon on the oceans and on people
Ask the learners to create a table and research (look at the notes from the last unit) the number of moons for each planet and the names of the moons (that are known).
Image:
Natural Sciences and Technology - Grade 6