Unit 5. The Universe
If you go to Arizona (USA) you can visit this place. It shows the crater caused by a meteorite that crashed into the Earth 50000 years ago. The image demonstrates that our planet is not alone in the Universe.
From the outside to the inside
Our galaxy | The Solar System | Our planet |
After seeing these images, what would this be?
Yes, you are right. It is the Universe.
A) Satellites are smaller scelestial bodies that orbit the planets. The Moon is the Earth´s only satellite.
Jupiter has more than sixty satellites!
B) Dwarf planets are spherical bodies that orbit the Sun, not as big as planets, not as small as asteroids. Since 2006, astrologers considerer Pluto not a planet, but a dwarf planet.
C) The comets are giant balls of ice that orbit the Sun in a long, elliptical path. Yes, paths can be elliptical or circular:
D) Asteroids
Size of different stars
What are constellations?
Our galaxy is the Milky Way. Look at how it looks from Earth.
About space exploration:
-Sputnik I was the first artificial satellite launched into space (1957)
-Yuri Gagarin was the first man to travel into space (1961)
They were both sent by the Soviets. However, the first human being to set foot on the Moon was the American Neil Armstrong, on 20th July 1969. He was not alone. Edwin Aldrin and Michael Collins were also aboard the Apollo 11 spacecraft.
About space exploration, today the real challenge is the planet Mars. Look at the new programs by the NASA. (Spirit)
Now let´s see how is the life of the astronauts inside the International Space Station.