Stars, galaxies and the universe
I can describe what stars and galaxies are and explain how they look when seen from Earth.
- Year 7
Stars, galaxies and the universe
I can describe what stars and galaxies are and explain how they look when seen from Earth.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The Sun is a star, an extremely hot sphere of gas that emits light.
- The stars in the night sky are much smaller and dimmer than the Sun because they are much further away.
- A light-year is the distance light travels in one year. This is large enough to be suitable for distances in space.
- In the universe, stars are found in groups called galaxies, with billions of stars in each one.
- There are billions of galaxies in the universe.
Keywords
Star - A star is an extremely hot sphere of gas that emits light.
Light year - A light-year is the distance light travels in one year.
Billion - 1 billion = 1 000 000 000 (one thousand million).
Galaxy - A galaxy is a group of billions of stars.
Universe - The name for the whole of space and everything in it is the universe.
Common misconception
The Sun is not a star.
Make it clear that the only reason the Sun looks different to the stars in the night sky is because it is so much closer to Earth. Use visual examples to show what the Sun and/or other stars would look like at greater distances.
Equipment
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the nearest star to us on Earth?
Q2.What is the Sun mainly made of?
Q3.What is a constellation in the night sky?
Q4.How many planet Earths could you fit into the Sun?
Q5.Which of the following orbit the Sun?
Q6.How long does it take for light from the Sun to reach Earth?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the Sun?
Q2.Why do the stars in the night sky look different to the Sun, which is also a star?
Q3.Match each keyword to the correct definition.
