The Universe and Solar System

GEOGRAPHY

Unit 1

The Universe and Solar System

Learning Objectives

* To know about the formation of the universe.

* To differentiate between the members of the Solar System.

* To understand the motions of the Earth and its effects.

* To learn about the different spheres of the Earth and their interaction with each other.

Pathway:

This lesson focuses on the universe and the members of the solar system. It also deals with the motions of the Earth and their resultant effects. It also talks about the four spheres of the Earth.

Teacher: Students, do you all know where you reside?

Students: Yes, teacher.

Teacher: (Points out a student) Iniya, do you know your address? Can you tell me your full address?

Iniya: Yes teacher. My address is Iniya, 24, Bharathiar street, Thirunagar, Madurai - 625 006.

Teacher: Good. Iniya, where is Thirunagar?

Iniya: Thirunagar is in Madurai.

Teacher: Children, tell me where Madurai is?

Students: It is in Tamil Nadu.

Teacher: Good. Where is Tamil Nadu?

Students: In India ...teacher.

Teacher: Now tell me where India is?

Students: India is in the continent of Asia, teacher.

Teacher: Excellent! Can anyone tell me where is the continent of Asia?

Students: Yes teacher. It is on the Earth.

Teacher: Ok children, tell me where the Earth is located.

Students: ( Remain silent and after sometime they reply in chorus) No. We don't know.

Teacher: Now, let me explain. The Earth is the third planet in the Solar System. The solar system is in the galaxy. It is named as the Milkyway Galaxy. There are millions of such galaxies in the Universe.

Iniya: Teacher, shall I say the address of our Earth?

Teacher: Address of our Earth? It's interesting Iniya. Tell us the address.

Iniya: Miss. Earth,

No.3. Solar System,

Milkyway Galaxy,

Universe.

(Everyone clapped and the teacher appreciates Iniya.)

Teacher: That was very good Iniya. Now let us know about the solar system, galaxy, the Universe and all other bodies in detail in this lesson.

Numerous stars and celestial bodies came into existence by a massive explosion called Big Bang. These celestial bodies together are called The Universe. It is also referred to as the Cosmos. The stars that you see are so far away that they appear to be small, but they are really huge in size.

The study of the Universe is called Cosmology. The term Cosmos is derived from the Greek word ‘Kosmos’.