Explore the Solar System

Introduction

You are a team of astronauts on your way to another planet in our solar system. In order to prepare for your mission, you must learn all you can about the structure and locations of the objects in the solar system. To this end, you must complete a report detailing what you know and what you intend to explore on your mission. This is an important mission because you will be the first humans to explore the entire solar system and gather information on its structures and their functions. You will also be the first to use the new faster-than-light engines to reach your destinations in a reasonable amount of time. Please complete the following assignment to fulfill the first part of your mission.

 

Task

Please research the following objects found in our solar system and describe their structures and the information listed below about each. Once your research is completed, prepare a detailed report on your findings and prepare an itinerary for your exploratory mission.

Topics: 

  1. Light year: What is it?, How far is it?

  2. Temperature in space: What is the average temperature in space in our solar system?

  3. Solar system: What is it? How old is it? 

    • Sun: What is it? What kind of star is it? How big is it? What is it made of and what is its structure?

    • Planets: Research all 8 planets and detail the following information about each one:

      • Terrestrial: What are the terrestrial planets? Where are they located? How far from the sun is each? How big are they relative to Earth?

      • Gas Giants: What are the gas giant planets? Where are they located? How far from the sun is each? How big are they relative to Earth?

    • Asteroids: What are they? Where are they located (how far from the sun)? What are the different types of asteroids?

    • Kuiper belt: What is it? Where is it located (how far from the sun)?, What are some of the larger objects in it?

    • Oort cloud: What is it? Where is it located (how far from the sun)?, What are located in it? 

    • Heliosphere: What is it? Where is it located (how far from the sun)? Why is it important?

      4. Determine the order you will visit each object in space, with your final destination being the planet you are going to study.

Once you have completed your research, detail your findings in a slide presentation that discusses all of the information you were required to learn. Your team should have at least 1 slide per topic researched, including a Title slide, Preview slide, and conclusion slide. The slides should be in order of the objects you are visiting with the planet you are going to explore being the next to last slide in your presentation.

Process
  1. Work in groups of 2 or 3 students
  2. Everyone should work together to complete the assignment. Share the research and slide presentation work equally among the members of the group.
  3. Look up the required information using the websites listed below
  4. Write down the information in your notes so that you can use it to make your slide presentation
  5. Make a slide presentation that addresses the required information. Slides must include the following criteria:
    • A title slide introducing the project
    • A description of the exploration mission with explanation of a light year and the temperature in space
    • Place explanatory slides in order of the objects that are to be explored and include approximate time to reach each object
    • Your next to last slide should be about the planet you are going to explore in more detail. Include the type of weather you can expect on this planet.
    • Have a conclusion slide that explains how you think the mission will go and when you think you will return to Earth.
  6. Use the grading rubric to help guide your completion of the slide project.
  7. When your group has finished the project, please share it with me on Google Slides so that I can grade it.

Use the following websites to help you research your mission:

  1. https://science.nasa.gov/exoplanets/what-is-a-light-year/

  2. https://sciencenotes.org/how-cold-is-space-what-is-its-temperature/

  3. https://science.nasa.gov/sun/facts/

  4. https://scied.ucar.edu/learning-zone/sun-space-weather/sun

  5. https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/planets/

  6. https://www.planetary.org/articles/what-are-planets-made-of

  7. https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/asteroids/

  8. https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Asteroids

  9. https://spacecenter.org/what-is-the-kuiper-belt/

  10. https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/kuiper-belt/facts/

  11. https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/oort-cloud/facts/

  12. https://science.nasa.gov/heliophysics/focus-areas/heliosphere/

  13. https://sci.esa.int/web/ulysses/-/2576-the-heliosphere

  14. https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/weather-on-other-planets/en/

 

 

Evaluation
CATEGORY 10 8 6 4
Originality Presentation shows considerable originality and inventiveness. The content and ideas are presented in a unique and interesting way. Presentation shows some originality and inventiveness. The content and ideas are presented in an interesting way. Presentation shows an attempt at originality and inventiveness on 1-2 cards. Presentation is a rehash of other people\'s ideas and/or graphics and shows very little attempt at original thought.
Content - Accuracy All content throughout the presentation is accurate. There are no factual errors. Most of the content is accurate but there is one piece of information that might be inaccurate. The content is generally accurate, but one piece of information is clearly flawed or inaccurate. Content is typically confusing or contains more than one factual error.
Sequencing of Information Information is organized in a clear, logical way. It is easy to anticipate the type of material that might be on the next card. Most information is organized in a clear, logical way. One card or item of information seems out of place. Some information is logically sequenced. An occasional card or item of information seems out of place. There is no clear plan for the organization of information.
Effectiveness Project includes all material needed to gain a comfortable understanding of the topic. Project includes most material needed to gain a comfortable understanding of the material but is lacking one or two key elements. Project is missing more than two key elements. Project is lacking several key elements and has inaccuracies.
Spelling and Grammar Presentation has no misspellings or grammatical errors. Presentation has 1-2 misspellings, but no grammatical errors. Presentation has 1-2 grammatical errors but no misspellings. Presentation has more than 2 grammatical and/or spelling errors.
Conclusion

Congratulations! You have completed your exploration of the solar system. If you are interested in exploring more, please see the resources below.

 

Additional resources for further exploration of the universe:

https://www.esa.int/

https://www.planetary.org/

https://science.nasa.gov/