SolarSystem_KabsikPark

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Become a virtual space traveler and chart your course to the edge of the solar system!

About the Show (Grades 3-5)

Duration: Approximately 35 minutes

The state-of-the-art Morrison Planetarium uses the latest scientific data and visualization techniques to chart your course to the edge of the solar system. This show is exclusively for student groups, and is presented live by Planetarium staff.

During this show your students will become virtual space explorers who will examine what causes the predictable motions in the sky as observed from Earth. Then, they will jet off to other objects in our solar system and try to apply their new understanding of Earth's cycles in order to discover some surprising patterns other planets have. The presentation will often touch on the following topics:

  • predictable patterns and motions on Earth, including:
    • moon (and Earth) phases
    • yearly cycles of constellations as viewed from Earth
    • planet tilt
  • close-up views of some of our solar system's planets
    • the scientific variation in "days" and "year" motions
    • atmospheric models
  • View of a planetary system around another star
Tips for Scheduling Free Seats in the Planetarium

Motions of the Solar System (Grades 3-5) is scheduled on select weekdays throughout the school year, starting at 10:30 am sharp.

A total of 250 seats are available in each presentation, and seats are booked on a first-come, first-served basis as field trip applications roll in.

Next Generation Science Standards

The planetarium shows are designed to support some aspects the Next Generation Science Standards. This activity is just one of many that could help prepare your students to meet the performance expectations.

Disciplinary Core Ideas, Grade 5

  • ESS1.B: Earth and the Solar System: The orbits of Earth around the sun and of the moon around Earth, together with the rotation of Earth about an axis between its North and South poles, cause observable patterns. These include day and night; daily changes in the length and direction of shadows; and different positions of the sun, moon, and stars at different times of the day, month, and year. (5-ESS1-2)

Crosscutting Concepts, Grades 3 -5

  • Patterns: Similarities and differences in patterns can be used to sort, classify, communicate and analyze simple rates of change for natural phenomena. (5-ESS1-2)
  • Scale, Proportion, and Quantity: Natural objects exist from the very small to the immensely large. (5-ESS1-1)

Science and Engineering Practices, Grades 3 -5

  • Analyzing and Interpreting Data: Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.
  • Developing and Using Models: Use models to describe and/or predict phenomena.
Grades: 3rd Grade - 5th Grade
Program Duration: 35 minutes
Capacity: 250
Price: Free
Time Slots: 10:30 am