Solar System: Rotation and Revolution
These sites demonstrate rotation, revolution, and the orbit of planets and moons in our solar system. Includes information about day/night cycles, rotational periods, constellations, moon phases, and telling time. Includes links to eThemes Resources on earth’s moon, eclipses, and planets.
Grades
- 3,
- 4,
- 5
Links
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Sky Map and Horizon Views
This site generates complete maps of the stars in the sky or a view of the horizon from a particular direction. Enter the latitude/longitude of your location or click "Set for Nearby City" and choose a location.
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Ask A High Energy Astronomer: Rotation Direction of the Earth and Galaxy
An astronomer answers a student's question about the the possible pattern of rotation in the universe.
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Earth's Rotation Activities
Observation activities for students to do at school and at home, day and night. Activities include tracking shadows and the sun's movement and the movement of constellations in the night sky.
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Kids Astronomy: The Planets
Compare the orbit and rotational periods of the planets in our solar system. NOTE: The site includes ads.
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Sundials: The Equation of Time
A comparison of "sundial time" to "clock time." NOTE: The site includes ads.
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The Evolution of Time Measurement
An in-depth look at the history of the technologies man has used to measure time.
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ThinkQuest: Moon Phases: The Changing Shape of the Moon
Diagrams and brief explanations of moon phases and eclipses. Includes a link to an animated moon revolving the earth.
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ThinkQuest: Make a Sundial
Instructions for making and using a simple sundial. This site has lots of information about time from different perspectives. It also has many activities to do online, at home, or in the classroom. Click on "Teacher's Guide" for more activities.
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Revolution and Rotation of the Planets
This site uses illustrations of the solar system to describe Kepler's findings that the planets have fixed orbits. You can look at the current positions of the inner planets. Click on "Animation" to see the planets revolve around the sun.
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Solar Rotation
An explanation of how we know the sun rotates. Includes a video for proof.
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Solar System Live
This site shows a live diagram of the planets in their orbital paths around the sun. Click on "Show" and then choose "Images" and then "Update" to see pictures of the planets instead of symbols.
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Ask an Astronomer for Kids! Jupiter's Rotation
Learn which planet rotates the fastest in our solar system.
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Astronomy Picture of the Day
This composite picture demonstrates solar rotation.
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NASA: Eclipse Predictions and Earth's Rotation
Find out how the tides effect the earth's rotation. This text may be too advanced for younger students, but there is good background information for teachers.
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eThemes Resource: Solar System: Eclipses
These sites have information about solar and lunar eclipses. Includes descriptions, Webcasts, images, and charts. There are also sky charts and descriptions of the earth, moon, and sun relationships.
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eThemes Resource: Solar System: Earth's Moon
This resource is about the moon that revolves around earth. Learn about the waxing and waning phases. See video and photographs of the moon.
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eThemes Resource: Solar System: Planets
This resource is about the solar system and its eight planets. Includes facts and photographs of the planets. Learn about the various climates and structures.
Education Standards
- AL
- MO
- UT
