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Yay! Now that we're done with introduction stuff, we can get on to the actual learning! We'll start with the Solar System.
The Solar System is made up of nine planets but this week we'll just learn about the first four: Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.
Mercury
Mercury is the closest planet to the sun. It's name comes from the Roman name for it's messanger god, The Greek name being Hermes. It resembles Earth's moon, but has no moon of it's own. It's day is equal 3 months. It has a diameter of 3025 miles. Mercury has virtually no atmosphere, which is why it would impossible to live there. Another reason it would be impossible to live there is it is extremely hot. It's approximately 210 degrees on the dark side and 950 degrees on the side near the sun.
Venus
Venus is the second planet from the sun. It's name comes from the Roman goddess of love and beauty, it's Greek name being Hera. It is covered in clouds, the going east to west. Venus rotates "backwards". Therefore, while on all other planets, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, it is the opposite on Venus (the sun rises in the west and sets in the east). It has an extremely high atmospheric pressure, about 97 times the amount of pressure as Earth. It's surface temperature is about 900 degrees. Venus circles the sun about once every 224.7 Earth days and has a diameter of about 7502 miles.
Earth
We all know about Earth, as we live on it. The Roman name of the Earth goddess is Terra Matter, or Earth Mother, it's Greek name being Gia. Earth is the only known planet to support life (planets, animals, humans). Earth has one moon, known by scientists and astronomers as Luna. The diameter of the earth is approximately 7909 miles.
Mars
Mars is names after the Roman god of war, it's Greek name being Ares. It has a red color and has two moons, Phobos and Deimos. Mars travels around the sun every 687 Earth days. A Martian day is 24 hours and 37 minutes. It's diameter is 4212 miles.
OBVIOUSLY I don't expect you to remember all of this, so just copy/paste into Work or Notepad so you can study for exams later on. =D
***Homework***
1. What planet is named after the Roman messanger god and what is it's Greek name?
2. Why is Mercury impossible to live on? (2 reasons)
3. Which way does Venus rotate? (Hint: may be a one-word answer)
4. How many days does it take for Venus to circle the sun and what's it's diameter?
5. What is the Roman goddess Earth is named after and what is her Greek name?
6. What is the Greek name of the god Mars was named after and what was he god over? (Hera was the goddess of love of beauty, so what would Mars be the god of?)
***Extra Credit***
1. Who are Phobos and Deimos (Mars' moons) in mythology?
2. What is a revolution and what is a rotation in Astronomy? (Hint: Mars' revolution = 687 days, Mars' rotation = 24 hours, 37 minutes. May answer in definition form or give a one-word amount of time)
3. How long is an Earth revolution and how long is an Earth rotation?
Each question, including Extra Credit, is worth 2 points. Extra Credit WILL NOT count against you if you don't do it. Just a little word to the wise, you don't have to give a very long answer. In fact I'll give you the answer to number one in the regular homework so you can see how short they can be.
1. Mercury, Hermes
Regular Homework Questions: 30 points total
Regular Extra Credit: 9 points total
NOTE: All homework is due on January 1st at midnight Eastern time. Don't forget. Also, don't forget to copy every lesson! Well, see y'all next week!
-Pro Tawny (e-mail: the_mouse086@yahoo.com)
((NOTE: When e-mailing me, please, please, please say what your name is and what house you're in. =D Thanx))