EXPECTATIONS: Before we start this unit you should be very comfortable witht he following:

Size & Scale:

Our sun is the largest object in our solar system (every single object that orbits the sun could be squashed together and still not be as big as the sun)

Our sun is a star with a common name ("the sun") and a proper name ("Sol")

There are a number of different objects that orbit the sun

LEARNING GOALS -- At the conclusion of this part of the unit, I will be able to:

1. identify each of the planets in the solar system by name

2. relate the planets by size

3. compare the planets by distance to the sun

4. relate that planets typically get colder farther away from the sun (with the important exception of Venus)

5. relate the planets by physical characteristics:

   	Rocky	Gaseous	Atmosphere	Rings?
   Mercury	Yes	No	None	None
   Venus	Yes	No	Very Thick	None
   Earth	Yes	No	Present	None
   Mars	Yes	No	Very Thin	None
   Jupiter	No	Yes	Very Thick	Yes
   Saturn	No	Yes	Very Thick	Yes
   Uranus	No	Yes	Very Thick	Yes
   Neptune	No	Yes	Very Thick	Yes

6) compare and contrasts planets, moons, dwarf planets and asteroids based on their physical characteristics:

	Planets	Moons	Dwarf Planets	Asteroids
Cleared Orbit?	Yes	No	No	No
Round Shape?	Yes	Not always	Yes	Never
Size Matters?	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Orbits another body (other than the sun)	No	Yes	No	No

Describe these objects based on their defining physical characteristics

7) Show that you understand how our solar system was formed

STUDY GUIDES & ADDITIONAL PRACTICE