Earth in Space
The Solar System
99% of all the matter in the Solar System is in the Sun.
[Image Source: NASA] |
Of the remaining 1% of the matter in the Solar System, Jupiter and Saturn account for 90% of it.
The Earth is only a tiny fraction of matter within the Solar System. [Image Source: Wikipedia] |
Spaceship EarthThe NASA image to the right is a picture of the Earth from a distance. From this point-of-view, we can see that our planetary home is an object in space. In addition, here are some facts about the Earth's movement through space.
A Day
A Year
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Create an Analogy: our planet has been called a pale blue dot in space, spaceship Earth, an oasis in space, etc. How would you describe our planetary home?
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Seasonality
In order to understand the patterns of seasonal change in the temperate areas, the Earth must be understood from space.
Use the video and the image below to gain an understanding of the process of seasonal change. US Naval Observatory: What Does the Earth Look Like Now |
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Seasonal Change: Based on changes in the Earth's Orbit as it Circles the Sun
Source: NASA Visible Earth
Image Source: NASA SciJinks
The Equinox