Overview
Objects in the solar system have always been considered as special, by the earliest watchers of the skies and by today's astronomers. But our view of those objects has changed drastically over the past two thousand years.
The earliest interpretation of the planets was mythological. Because the planets moved in the sky in special ways, they were assumed to have special powers.
The observed motions of the planets led to the idea that they were objects which moved in circles around the earth. From studying the motions of the planets very closely, we came to realize that all planets, including the earth, orbit around the sun.
Modern observations, especially from space probes, have given us new information about the planets themselves. New findings include surface features on Mercury, Venus and Mars, rings circling the planet Uranus, and a tiny satellite orbiting Pluto.

Objectives
• Students will observe and be able to describe the motions of the sun, moon and planets.
• Students will be able to describe how constellations are used to record the wandering motions of objects that are part of the solar system.
• Students will be able to describe recent discoveries concerning objects in the solar system.
• Students will be able to list technology such as telescopes, satellites and rovers that are used to collect information about the solar system.

Science Standards
• Location and motion of objects in the sky
• Earth’s motion
• Objects in the solar system
• Constellations
• Telescopes and satellites

Vocabulary
Copernicus, Asteroid, Mythology, Mercury, Venus, Moon, Satellite, Orbit, Atmosphere, Diameter, Meteor, Meteorite,
Comet, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto

Activity Book (Table of Contents)
• Graphing Constellations: Coordinate System Graphing
• The Solar System: Coloring Page
• Solar System Mobile: Construction Activity
• The Four Seasons: Story
• Solar System/Space: Word Puzzle
• Planet Locator: Star Gazing Tool
• Crossword Puzzle: Word Puzzle
• Scale Model Solar System: Activities and Teacher Guide
• Planet At-A-Glance: Construction Activity
• Planet Worksheet: Planet At-A-Glance Activity