1. Fourth Quarter Overview – Astronomy
During the fourth quarter (March 15 – May 26), science classes will be studying the following:
• The Earth-moon system including seasons, phases of the moon, and eclipses
• The objects that make up the solar system
• Stars and space
CRCT testing: April 19 - 24
The Earth – Moon System
Focus on the following textbook pages: 520, 554, 630, 660-664
Students should be able to:
1. Explain what causes day and night.
2. Relate the tilt of the earth to seasons and climate.
3. Identify the phases of the moon.
4. Explain what causes solar and lunar eclipses.
astronomy rotation revolution axis orbit satellite
seasons tilt phases waxing waning new moon
crescent first quarter gibbous full moon last quarter eclipse
solar eclipse lunar eclipse
The Solar System
Focus on the following textbook pages: 555-557, 614-617, 630-633, 644-647, and 668-672.
Students should be able to:
1. Explain how work done by scientists (Ptolemy, Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo, and Newton) in the past has
added to our understanding of the universe.
2. Describe how the nebular theory explains the formation of our solar system.
3. Compare the planets of our solar system, especially how each is unique.
4. Explain how gravity and inertia work together to govern motion in our solar system.
5. Describe the characteristics of comets, asteroids, and meteoroids.
Ptolemy geocentric Copernicus heliocentric Kepler
elliptical orbit Galileo Newton gravity inertia
scale nebula nebular theory comet asteroid
asteroid belt meteoroid meteorite meteor
Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe
Focus on the following textbook pages: 558-559, 564-565, 584, 596-597, 600-603, 688, and 694.
Students should be able to:
1. Explain how we use probes, satellites, telescopes, observatories, and spectroscopes to study the
universe.
2. Explain what a constellation is.
3. Identify the three major types of galaxies.
4. Describe the solar system’s location within the Milky Way Galaxy.
5. Describe the big bang theory to explain the formation of the universe.
universe celestial object light-year observatory telescope light pollution
satellite probe spectroscope star constellation galaxy
spiral galaxy Milky Way elliptical galaxy irregular galaxy big bang theory