Lesson 1 The Structure of the Solar System

Skim Lesson 1 in your book. Read the headings and look at the photos and illustrations.
Identify three things you want to learn more about as you read the lesson. Record your ideas in
your Science Journal.

What is the Describe the solar system.

solar system?
I found this on page .

Objects in the Organize facts about the Sun in this graphic organizer.
Solar System
I found this on page . Facts About the Sun

Diameter: Mass: contains Composition: Energy:

mostly produced by
about
percent of

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I found this on page . Explain how an object is classified as a planet.

orbits:

A Planet

shape:

mass:

I found this on page . Identify objects that orbit the Sun.

Types of Objects That Orbit the Sun

226 The Solar System

 Lesson 1 | The Structure of the Solar System (continued)

I found this on page . Contrast the inner and outer planets by completing the table.

Inner Outer
Relative
distance to
the Sun

Composition

Relative size

Names of
the planets

I found this on page . Outline information about dwarf planets, asteroids, and comets.
Write three facts about each type of object.

Other Objects in the Solar System

Dwarf Planets Asteroids Comets

1. 1. 1.
Copyright © Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

2. 2. 2.

3. 3.

3.

I found this on page . Identify the names of four dwarf planets.

1.

2.

3.

4.

The Solar System 227

 Lesson 1 | The Structure of the Solar System (continued)

I found this on page . Organize information about astronomical units.

Definition:

Length:

Used because:

Organize information about the motion of the planets by

The Motion of the completing the chart.
Planets
I found this on page .
Motion of the Planets
Rotation Revolution

The time that a planet takes to The time that a planet takes to

Also called: Also called:

Copyright © Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Shape:

I found this on page . Identify the relationship between a planet’s speed and its distance
from the Sun by circling the correct speed.

Distance from the Sun Speed

Closer to the Sun faster slower

Farther from the Sun faster slower

Do Mercury and Venus travel through space faster than Earth? Are Mercury
and Venus less than or greater than one AU from the Sun? Explain both answers.

228 The Solar System