Entry 1: Make a chart in your Agronaut log to record what you learn about the Sun, Moon and Earth that you will learn in this mission. Entry 1: Make a chart in your Agronaut log to record what you learn about the Sun, Moon and Earth that you will learn in this mission.
Sun |
Moon |
Earth |
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Average temperature |
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Diameter (compared to Earth) |
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Miles away from Earth |
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What makes up the atmosphere? |
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Is water present? |
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Rotation period |
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Gravity (compared to Earth) |
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Sun and Stars
The Sun is the brightest object in our sky and the largest object in our solar system. The Sun is actually a star that is 93 million miles (that's 150 million kilometers) from the Earth. The Sun is about 4.5 billion years old and is one of more than 100 billion stars in our galaxy. Our galaxy is called the Milky Way Galaxy. The Sun is one of many stars in the part of our galaxy called the Orion arm.
The Milky Way Galaxy, courtesy of Windows to the Universe, http://www.windows.ucar.edu
The Earth and eight other planets move around the Sun in paths called orbits. Lighter objects orbit heavier ones, and the Sun is the heaviest object in the solar system. The Sun is more than 300,000 times heavier than Earth.
The Sun is very large compared to Earth. The diameter of the Sun is 100 times larger than Earth! And, even at that size, it is just a medium-sized star compared to others.
The Sun is very hot! The temperature of the surface of the Sun is about 11,000 ºF (degrees Fahrenheit). That's the same as 6093 °C (degrees Celsius). We will learn about temperature scales in another Mission.
Entry 2: What is the temperature in your area today? How does it compare to the temperature of the Sun? Use the internet, the news, check a thermometer or ask an adult to help you find out the temperature today. Record the temperature in ºF and °C in your Agronaut Log.