Planet Report:Each of you have been assigned a planet to study as a group. You will also be required to do individual reports. This space is here to provide you with a place to share information with your group on the planet you are researching. 
Due June 7, 2013

Getting Started:
First, get to know about your planet. Read as much information about the planet as you can find. Try both the Internet and the library; try the NASA web site, Zoom Astronomy, Nine Planets, a good search engine, an encyclopedia, and individual books on astronomy and the Solar System.

As you're reading about your planet, take notes on key information, such as your planet's size, temperature range, its position in the Solar System, moons, atmosphere, any unusual features, when it was discovered.

The Structure of the Planet Report:

Start your report with an introductory paragraph that states the main ideas that you will be writing about. Then write at least four to five paragraphs that clearly describe your planet. Each paragraph should cover one topic (for example, you should have one paragraph that covers the planet's location in the Solar System, how far it is from the Sun, and how long its year is). End the report with a closing paragraph that summarizes what you wrote and learned.

Check that your grammar, spelling, and punctuation are correct. Make sure to use complete sentences and write neatly! Define any technical terms that you use. Proofread your report for errors before you hand it in -- do not hand in a rough draft.

Topics to Research and Include in Your Report:


When you write your report, try to answer as many of the following questions as you can:

• The Planet's Name: What does its name mean? Many planets were named after mythological gods.

• Position in the Solar System: Where is your planet located (for example, Mars in the fourth planet from the Sun)? How far from the Sun does it orbit. Is its orbit unusual?

* Rotation on its Axis: How long does it take for your planet to rotate on its own axis? (This is one day on your planet.)

• Size: How big is your planet? How does it rate in terms of the other planets in terms of size (is it the biggest, the smallest)? What is your planet's mass?

•Gravity: What is the force of gravity at the surface of your planet? For example, what would a 100-pound person weigh on that planet?

• Orbit: How long does it take for your planet to orbit the Sun? (This is one year on your planet.)

•Atmosphere: What is the composition of the atmosphere of your planet? Is it a thick or a thin atmosphere?

•Temperature: What is the temperature range your planet? How does this compare to the temperature on Earth?

•Composition of Your Planet and its Appearance: What type of planet is it (is it rocky or a gas giant)? What is its internal composition? What does your planet look like?

• Moons: If there are moons orbiting your planet, describe them and when they were discovered.

•  Rings: If there are rings orbiting your planet, describe them and when they were discovered.

•                How Would a Human Being Fare on Your Planet: On your planet, would a person choke in the atmosphere, be squashed by the extreme gravity, float with ease, freeze, burn up, or something else?

•                Something Special: Is there anything special about your planet? This can often be the best part of the report, taking you off on interesting topics. For example, are there 100-year-long storms on your planet? Are there giant volcanos? Does your planet have a very tilted axis (giving it extreme seasons)? Have spacecraft visited your planet? If so, what have they discovered? Is your planet in an orbital resonance with another body?

•                Discovery of Your Planet: The planets that are not visible using the naked eye were discovered after the invention of the telescope (these are Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto). Tell when your planet was discovered and by whom.

Citing Your References: When you write your bibliography, list all of your references. Formats for each type of publication follows (there are different formats for different media):

Can you name objects in our solar system?
What do you know about the planets in our solar system?
What is your favorite planet and why?
After watching Pluto Files Movie, which side are you on? Do you think Pluto is a planet and support your claim?

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
By Jane Taylor

Twinkle, twinkle, little star
How I wonder what you are?
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.

When the blazing sun is gone,
when be nothing shine upon,
then you show your little light,
twinkle, twinkle, all the night

Then the traveler in the dark,
thanks you for your tiny spark.
He could not see which way to go,
if you did not twinkle so.

In the dark blue sky you keep,
And often through my curtains peep,
For you never shut your eye,
Til the Sun is in the sky.

As your bright and tiny spark,
lights the traveler in the dark,
though I know not what you are,
Twinkle, twinkle, little star.

Let this familiar poem inspire you to look up at the stars some night this week. Try to pick a night when it is not cloudy with clear skies. Count how many stars you see! Do you think the stars you see are the only stars out there? We don't see as many of the stars in the city as you would further away from the city. What do you think is the reason for that? Do all the stars you do see look the same? What color are they? How bright are they? Are they close together or spread apart?

Record your observations here. Also ask at least one question related to the stars in the sky.

Learn about the history behind Earth Day and the progress we've made as a country since 1970 when the first Earth Day was held. Think about what still needs to be done and how we can help the environment.

Watch actual news footage from the very first Earth Day in 1970. While watching the footage think about how things have changed in the last 42 years since Earth Day was first created. When you are done watching the video write your reactions or any questions it raised for you. 

This video is also very interesting to think about. Watch the video, and then write about your thoughts and feeling about it. Why do you think we posted this video for Earth Day?

We are going to start observing the Earth's moon. Since we aren't in school at night this must be a homework assignment. As a bridge to what we have been studying in class, students will look for the Moon and any other objects they see in the night sky when they are at home. 

To make night-sky observations, go outside at the same time each evening (when it's dark) and observe the sky. Take a few minutes to enjoy the night sky. Talk about what you see. For example, if it's cloudy, you won't see much of anything except clouds. If it's clear, you will see stars (you might be able to recognize some constellations), planets (points of light that appear larger and brighter than stars), and sometimes the Moon. Discuss the changes in the night sky from night to night, especially the changing appearance of the Moon, and where you see it in the sky (You can check you local news source to find out when it will rise). 

Record you observations on the paper "Night-Sky Log" that you got in class. Bring it in with your recorded observations on Friday. Make sure you record the date and time as well as your observations. Also be sure to draw what the Moon looks like that night or at that time. 

In addition, here on the website you can do the following: 

• Share songs, poems, stories about the Moon
  
• Ask questions that you have about the Moon or were raised from your observations
  
• Tell us about your previous experiences with the Moon
  

In your own words explain why we have day and night? Why do we have seasons? Share any books, short stories or poems that explain "The Reason for Seasons" or "Day and Night". If you like to draw an illustration to go with your explanation bring to class so we can post it. 

The Sun:
What can we learn by studying the sun?
Why might it be important to find out more about the sun?
Share a question you have about the sun.

Share a story, song or poem about the sun.