This illustration from the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory shows the approximate sizes of the planets relative to each other. Note that the planets are not shown at appropriate distances from the Sun.

The purpose of this lesson is to introduce students to the planet Mars. This lesson will begin by discussing the location and size of Mars relative to Earth, as well as introduce many interesting facts about this red planet. Next, the history of Martian exploration is reviewed and students discover why scientists are so interested in studying this mysterious planet. The lesson concludes with students learning about future plans to visit Mars.

This timeline chronicles the history of space science and astronomy, and places it in the broader context of the history of society and technology. It begins in 13000 B.C. with the arrival of humans in America, and ends in 2003. Links to additional material on certain topics and persons are embedded in the text.

This Web site, created to complement the Hall of Meteorites, looks at these fallen rocks and what they tell scientists about the formation of stars and planets.

In this lesson, students learn some basic facts about asteroids in our solar system. The main focus is on the size of asteroids and how that relates to the potential danger of an asteroid colliding with the Earth. Students are briefly introduced to the destruction that would ensue should a large asteroid hit, as it did 65 million years ago.

In this project the students will be researching one celestial object with a partner.

When we look at the night sky, we see stars and the nearby planets of our own solar system. Many of those stars are actually distant galaxies and glowing clouds of dust and gases called nebulae. The universe is an immense space with distances measured in light years. The more we learn about the universe beyond our solar system, the more we realize we do not know. Students are introduced to the basic known facts about the universe, and how engineers help us explore the many mysteries of space.

Students are introduced to our Sun as they explore its composition, what is happening inside it, its relationship to our planet (our energy source), and the ways engineers help us learn about it.

CK-12 users should treat this FlexBook as an online textbook for Earth Science courses. This FlexBook underwent a thorough review conducted by practicing teachers, domain experts, copyeditors, and technical editors. It can be used in its current form, "flexed" (customized), and/or printed by the user. CK-12 supports feedback on all of its FlexBooks so that they can be continually improved and updated, while remaining aligned with state standards and curriculum guidelines.

This digital textbook was reviewed for its alignment with California content standards.

In this lesson students will apply astronomy concepts to develop and test a classification system for planets; Participate in a class vote on planet classification; Read an article about astronomers' response to the planetary categorization; Discuss and write an essay about the scientist's role as decision-makers for the public.

This educator's guide was developed with the Cosmic Questions national traveling exhibit. It contains activities relating to the exhibit's theme, our place in space and time-and information about the exhibit. Although the guide complements a museum visit, activities can be used independently from the exhibit.

Lesson plans and activity composed of a three-part questionnaire that launches students on discussions about where objects in space are located, and when they were formed- an introduction to the concepts of structure and evolution of the universe. This astronomical image-sorting activity lays the groundwork for discussions about the size, scale and history of the universe. Use it as a front-end assessment of how students understand the universe. Recommended for teachers of Grades 6-12 and informal educators.

Leonard Nimoy narrates this animated 13-minute glimpse of NASA's Dawn mission that was launched in October 2007. The movie features a look into the planning, instrumentation and technological challenges of this mission into the heart of the asteroid belt.

Students acquire a basic understanding of the science and engineering of space travel as well as a brief history of space exploration. They learn about the scientists and engineers who made space travel possible and briefly examine some famous space missions. Finally, they learn the basics of rocket science (Newton's third law of motion), the main components of rockets and the U.S. space shuttle, and how engineers are involved in creating and launching spacecraft.

This news article discusses data on Jupiter's moon Europa returned by NASA's Galileo and Voyager spacecraft and the possibility that an ocean of liquid water might exist on Europa and, with it, the possiblilty for extraterrestrial life.

A poster that shows a visual comparison of Mars and Earth. The back contains panels that go into detail on Mars science and explorations. It contains eleven lessons and resources for teachers.

Students are asked to compare and contrast the earth and the moon.

The following activities will help you explore how the earth and moon move around the sun.

This interactive activity from the Adler Planetarium explains the reasons for the seasons. Featured is a game in which Earth must be properly placed in its orbit in order to send Max, the host, to different parts of the world during particular seasons.