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Earth and Space
Science | Earth and Space | Lunar Motion | Lesson 5
Success Criteria
Aim
Key Questions
You will spot questions in a green box at certain points in this Lesson Presentation.
The assessment questions that appear will enable�you to check your understanding against the lesson aim and success criteria.
Remember It
Each of the Space Definition Cards has a random space-related�word and definition.
If you think the word on your card matches that definition, read�your word aloud along with the next definition.
Choose someone in your group to read out the definition on their card.
Key Vocabulary
A celestial body is a natural object outside Earth’s atmosphere, such as the planets, the Sun and the Moon.
celestial body
Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only planet known to support life.
Earth
A moon is a natural satellite that orbits a planet. Earth’s moon is called the Moon.
moon
An orbit is a regular, repeating curved path that an object follows round another object.
orbit
A planet is a large, spherical celestial body that orbits a star.
planet
A satellite is a natural or human-made object or body that orbits a larger object such as a planet or a star.
satellite
The Solar System is the collection of eight planets, their moons and other celestial bodies that orbit the Sun.
Solar System
‘Space’ is the term given to the area of the universe outside of Earth’s atmosphere.
space
A spherical object is sphere-shaped,�like a ball.
spherical
The Sun is the name of the huge star at the centre of our Solar System that provides light and heat to the planets that orbit it.
Sun
celestial body
Earth
orbit
planet
light
Solar System
space
satellite
spherical
phase
moon
rotation
shadow
Sun
Earth, light, moon, planet, shadow, space, Sun
atmosphere, rotation, spherical
axis, celestial body, orbit, phase, satellite, Solar System
Tier 1
everyday words
Tier 2
words that are important in different science topics
Tier 3
words that are specific to this science topic
Key Vocabulary
Artificial satellites are satellites that are made by humans. They are made for a variety of reasons. Examples include:
Satellites and Space Junk
Satellites are natural or artificial objects that orbit round other objects such as planets and stars. Before we learn about natural satellites, let’s think about artificial satellites.
What are artificial satellites?
observation
communication
navigation
Satellites and Space Junk
It cost approximately $150 billion�to build and NASA spends about $4 billion each year to maintain it.
The most expensive object ever made by humans is, in fact, a satellite�currently orbiting round Earth.
Satellites and Space Junk
The International Space Station (ISS) is a huge space station in orbit round Earth that is over 100 metres in length.
The ISS is used by astronaut crews from�a variety of nations from across the world.
With space agencies from so many�countries working together on the ISS, it is�a great example of cooperation in science between people from all over the world.
Satellites and Space Junk
Not all human-made objects orbiting round Earth are useful. Some can even be a problem.
Often, space junk includes old, disused or broken satellites, machinery or parts of spacecraft.
Space junk is any human-made object or debris in space that is not serving any purpose.
It is estimated that there are millions of pieces of space junk floating in orbit round Earth. Each of these objects could cause serious damage if they hit one of Earth’s artificial satellites or spacecraft.
Many space agencies from around the world have pledged to remove their satellites from space when they are no longer being used.
Space junk is still, however, a problem that�needs to be solved.
Can you describe what artificial satellites are, what�they are used for and the dangers of space junk?
Luckily, the chance of a collision with space junk is very low. Spacecraft and satellites, including the ISS, can move to avoid any possible collisions.
Scientists are also working on inventive strategies to try to remove�as much space junk from space as possible.
Satellites and Space Junk
How does it move? Does it orbit anything? Does it rotate?
To the Moon and Back
What type of celestial body is it?
Now, let’s think about natural satellites, including the Moon.
What do you already know about the Moon?
What shape�is it and how big is it compared to other celestial bodies we know?
What is it made of?
The Moon is Earth’s moon: a natural satellite made of rock and metal.
To the Moon and Back
384,400km
3+ days
The Moon is roughly spherical, with a diameter about a quarter that of Earth, and would fit inside Earth approximately 50 times. Earth’s diameter is approximately 12,742km.
In its orbit, the Moon is an average of 384,400km away from Earth.
It took Apollo 11 just over 3 days to travel this distance in 1969.
A satellite is an object or celestial�body that orbits round a larger object such as a planet or star.
Similarly to Earth, the Moon moves in an orbit round a celestial body and also rotates on its own axis.
�The Moon orbits round Earth and also orbits round the Sun alongside Earth.
The Moon takes about 27 days to orbit Earth.
To the Moon and Back
It also takes about 27 days for the Moon to rotate once on its axis.
Because these orbit and rotation times are the same, we always see the same side of the Moon when we look up at the sky.
Just like the Moon, these other moons travel round their planet, kept in orbit�by the planet’s gravitational pull.
To the Moon and Back
The Moon is not the only moon in the Solar System.
One of Jupiter’s moons, called Ganymede, is larger than the planet Mercury. This is the largest moon in the Solar System.
Many other planets in the Solar System also have their own natural satellites. Saturn,�for example, is currently known to have 146 moons.
Let’s find out more about the Moon in The Sky’s Not the Limit eBook.
The Reason for Seasons
To the Moon and Back
To the Moon and Back
Can you describe the movement of the Moon�relative to Earth?
Using the Moons and Satellites Activity Sheets, can you answer questions about the Moon, satellites and space junk?
Shaped by Shadow
How does the Moon appear to change shape over the course of its 27-day orbit?
I’ve noticed that the Moon isn’t always the same shape. Last night, it looked different to how it looked a week ago. I wonder if there’s a pattern.
Click 1
Every 27 days, the Moon follows a pattern of changes in how it appears. It doesn’t really change shape. These are known as the�phases of the Moon.
One special event that does allow us to see�the outline of the Moon clearly when it is completely in shadow is a solar eclipse.
This happens when the Sun is perfectly aligned behind the Moon.
Shaped by Shadow
A new Moon is completely in shadow, which often means we simply cannot see it in the sky.
Each series of lunar phases begins�with a new Moon.
After a new Moon, the Moon gradually goes through the following phases over its 27-day orbit.
Shaped by Shadow
waxing crescent
half Moon (first quarter)
waxing gibbous
full Moon
waning gibbous
half Moon (last quarter)
waning crescent
new Moon (to begin�a new series of lunar phases)
‘Waxing’ refers to the first half of the series of lunar phases, where the amount of the Moon we can see lit up gets larger.
‘Waning’ refers to the second half of the series of lunar phases, where the amount of the Moon we can see lit up gets smaller.
Let’s find out more about the phases of the Moon�and what causes them in The Sky’s Not the Limit eBook.
Shaped by Shadow
The main reason for the changing phases of the Moon is the amount of light versus shadow on the Moon’s surface as it orbits round Earth and the Sun.
Shaped by Shadow
Shaped by Shadow
The side of the Moon�we can see is completely�in shadow.
New Moon
Shaped by Shadow
The side of the Moon�we can see is partly�lit by the Sun but�mostly in shadow.
Waxing Crescent
Shaped by Shadow
The side of the Moon�we can see is half lit�by the Sun and half�in shadow.
Half Moon, First Quarter
Shaped by Shadow
The side of the Moon�we can see is mostly�lit by the Sun but some�is in shadow.
Waxing Gibbous
Shaped by Shadow
The Sun is behind�Earth so the side of�the Moon we can see�is fully lit up.
Full Moon
Shaped by Shadow
The side of the Moon�we can see is mostly lit�by the Sun but some�is in shadow.
Waning Gibbous
Shaped by Shadow
The side of the Moon�we can see is half�lit by the Sun and�half in shadow.
Half Moon, Last Quarter
Shaped by Shadow
The side of the Moon�we can see is partly�lit by the Sun but�mostly in shadow.
Waning Crescent
Shaped by Shadow
The side of the Moon�we can see is�completely in shadow and the cycle begins again.
New Moon
A Change of Phase
Using the Lunar Phases Activity Sheets, can you identify the phases of the Moon?
Can you identify and describe the phases of the Moon?
Moon Diary
Now we have learnt about the phases of the Moon, we can�observe them with our own eyes.
You could complete a Moon Diary to see how it appears to change�shape over the course of a month.
STEM/Green Careers
Aerospace Engineer
Aerospace engineers research, design, test and maintain equipment designed to fly, which includes spacecraft, aircraft, satellites and missiles. Some are often referred to as ‘rocket scientists’.
They use their expertise in physics and mathematics to improve the design and performance of these pieces of equipment. This could include making their shape more aerodynamic (how well they move through the air), improving their propulsion (how well they drive forwards or launch) and developing avionics (electronic systems used in aircraft and spacecraft, such as navigation systems).
Success Criteria
Aim