CHAPTER 2- EARTH IN SPACE

Hubble Telescope

2-1 The Solar System

Space and Universe Universe is made up of all existing things, including space

and earth Space is filled with objects called stars. Most are found in

galaxies. Milky Way

Milky Way

Planets Planets- major bodies that orbit a star

Four inner planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars Terrestrial- which means solid, rocky surfaces

Five outer planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto Mainly gaseous, with the exception of Pluto which has

a rocky core

Sun, Earth, and Moon Diameter of sun = 865,000 miles, more than 100 times

greater than the earth Earth’s diameter=8,000 miles

Earth is the third planet from the sun Fifth largest planet Earth’s orbit is elliptical

Moon is 240,000 miles away ¼ the size of earth Influences the earth’s ocean tides

Rotation, Revolution, Tilt Solar energy- energy that comes from the sun, which all of

the earth’s energy comes from Affects weather, plants, animals, and human

Rotation One complete spin of earth on its axis Takes 24 hours Rotates in a west to east direction See the effects as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west Allows the entire planet to receive the warming effect of

daylight and the cooling effect of darkness

Revolution Earth also revolves around the sun Elliptical orbit every 365 ¼ days, 1 year Every 4th year, have an extra day in February

Tilt Tilted 23 ½ degrees from perpendicular Affects the amount of solar energy that different places

receive during the year

Section 2- Earth-Sun Relationships

Solar energy and Latitude Different places on the earth receive different amounts of

solar energy Near the equator receives a lot yearly Tropics- warm low latitude areas near the equator Polar regions- areas of high latitude and colder regions near

the North and South Poles receive less solar energy

Seasons The Seasons

Times with greater or lesser heat Winter, spring, summer, fall Summer

Solar energy is stronger, warmer and longer days Winter

Solar energy is weaker, colder and shorter days Spring/Fall

Solar energy is more evenly distributed Daylight and darkness are more equal

Seasons

Tilt of the earth causes Northern and Southern Hemispheres to have opposite seasons

Solstice The time that the Earth’s poles point at their

greatest angle toward or away from the Sun Occur each year around Dec. 21, and June 21 Winter Solstice (Dec 21)

Northern Hemisphere- shortest day, first day of winter

Sun most direct rays strike the Tropic of Capricorn

Antarctic Circle- receives 24 hours of daylightArctic Circle- recieves 24 hrs of darkness

Chapter 2-3 The Earth System

4 major parts of Earth’s System that are all linked together Atmosphere Lithosphere Hydrosphere biosphere

Atmosphere Shell of gases that surround the Earth

Extends from the earths surface to space Gravity holds the atmosphere in place 78%nitrogen, 21%oxygen, and rest is made up

of CO2, and other gases Protects the Earth from the Sun’s harmful

radiation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YAOT92wuD8

Lithosphere

Solid Crust of the planet All the land on the earth Forms, continents, islands and ocean floors

Hydrosphere All the Earth’s water

Liquid, solid, and gaseous forms Covers about 70% of the earth’s surface

Part of the Earth that includes all life forms Includes plants and animals Extends deep in the ocean to the atmosphere Overlaps the other 3

Biosphere