3-10: Earth’s Rotation vs. Earth’s Orbit

A. The Sun's Path

Let’s learn how astronomers and other scientists observe and collect this information every day.  Many of them learn a lot by making observations. Observe the path of the Sun in the video. What do you notice?

The video shows the Sun rising above the horizon and moving west across the sky. Every day, we experience the Sun rising in the east, moving across the sky, and setting in the west. You can see this pattern on The Sun’s Path diagram.

B. Earth's Rotation

You try.  Watch the video below.  What do you observe about Earth’s rotation? 

Although the Sun appears to move across the sky, the pattern of sunrise and sunset is caused by Earth’s rotation. Every 24 hours, Earth rotates on its axis. During part of this rotation, our side of the planet faces the Sun and we experience daytime. During the other part of the rotation, our side of the planet faces away from the Sun and experiences nighttime. 

C. Earth's Orbit

As Earth rotates on its axis, it also orbits the Sun. At the same time, the moon orbits Earth. Watch the video of Ekta to learn more about the moon’s orbit and Earth’s orbit. 

D. Rotation or Orbit?

Directions: Drag the images that describe Earth’s rotation to the box titled “Rotation” and the images that describe Earth’s orbit around the Sun to the box titled “Orbit”.

E. Discuss - Turn and Talk

You just learned how Earth’s movements are related to daytime, nighttime, and seasons.  How might you use this information if you were to move to a new planet?

Turn to a partner.  Read each statement below. 

Discuss: 

  1. What information have you learned that could be useful in exploring a new planet? 
  2. What else have you learned that might be useful for future planning?  
  3. Where do you stand now about the future? Should we be searching for a new planet or trying to save the one we are on? 
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