Week 1: Earth Moon System

 

  1. What did you do in lab today? In lab, we discussed what would be going on in the course, such as going over the syllabus, ​how homework is going to look each week, absences, and test policies. We also looked at the way the sun hits different parts of the Earth, and we used a globe with a light bulb and a green line. We also briefly talked about geocentric vs heliocentric, Copernicus and Galileo, the plane of the ecliptic, the equator, and the tropic lines. 
  2. What was the big question? The big question was how the stars and the moon relate to each other and why are there seasons. ​
  3. What did you learn in Thursday’s discussion? In Thursday's discussion, I learned 

    Helio means sun-centered, and Geo means earth-centered. I also learned

    To be a planet, you have to be created with the same matter as the other planets 

    4. All are in the same plane, which is why Pluto isn't considered a planet 

    Pluto has an orbit that is not level. Along with equator=equal.


  1. What did you learn? I learned that we have seasons because the Earth is tilted as it moves around the sun. When one part of Earth tilts toward the sun, it is summer. When it tilts away, it is winter. A long time ago, people thought the sun went around Earth, but scientists found out that Earth goes around the sun. I learned that equinoxes are days with equal sunlight and darkness, and solstices are the longest or shortest days. I also learned that shadows change during the day and in different seasons because of the way the sun moves. Lastly, eclipses happen when the sun, Earth, and moon line up just right.
    ​
  2. What was most helpful? The most helpful part of the reading was learning that Earth’s tilt causes the seasons, not how close it is to the sun. This explains why different parts of the world have opposite seasons at the same time. It also helped to see how shadows and daylight change depending on the sun’s position, which made it easier to understand equinoxes and solstices. 
    ​
  3. What do you need more information on? Nothing specific that I can think of right now, but I definitely just need more practice on the ideas as a whole. ​

5. What questions, concerns, and/or comments do you have? None right now. 

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