Interesting and Important Facts about the Planets and Space-related Topics

Sites Specifically for Students with Information About Astronomy

Astronomy Encyclopedia: Britannica Singapore offers a range of astronomy information free, and it can be cited in school projects.

Astronomy for Kids: Facts about the Solar System, Sun, Meteorites, Stars, Galaxies, Planets, Moon, Comets, Asteroids, and a Dictionary; written for kids

Astronomy.com: For Kids: Facts and information about planets, constellations, and MORE

Celestia4All: Brings you "real astronomy" in stunning 3-D with a treasury of tools, information, animations, experiences, inspiration, "and FUN"!

Cosmos4Kids.com: Facts and Information about the universe, galaxies, stars, solar system, and space exploration

Enchanted Learning: All About Space: Links to information about astronomy, the planets, and MORE!

Kids' Astronomy.com: This site takes you to the moons of Jupiter; explore the possibility of life on these distant worlds. Travel through the expanse of the universe and discover just how much SPACE there is in Space, and learn how modern day scientists are pushing the limits of space exploration every day; packed with games, activities, fun facts, and resources

NASA's Quest: A rich resource for educators, kids and space enthusiasts who are interested in meeting and learning about NASA people and the national space program. NASA Quest allows the public to share the excitement of NASA's authentic scientific and engineering pursuits like flying in the Shuttle and the International Space Station, exploring distant planets with amazing spacecraft, and building the aircraft of the future

NASA Science for Students: Grades K-12: Student areas divided by grades: K-4, 5-8, 9-12; an EXCELLENT resource covering all aspects of astronomy; includes videos and MORE

Space Place: Elementary-level site with lots of neat projects, facts and opportunities to share ideas

StarChild: A Learning Center for Young Astronomers: An excellent resource written for students. Covers all astronomy topics in detail.

---

---

Astronomy Trivia

*The word astronomy is derived from the Greek word, astronomia, which means law of the stars, and is one of the world's oldest sciences.

*There have been many famous astronomers throughout history: Nicolaus Copernicus, Tycho Brahe, Johannes Kepler, Galileo Galilei, Isaac Newton, Clyde Thombaugh, Edmin Halley, Edwin Hubble, and many more to numerous to mention individually.

*There are two main branches of astronomy: optical astronomy, the observation and study of light, and non-optical astronomy, the study of the sky through forms of energy and particles that we cannot see.

*The solar system, which is believed to be over four million years old, includes the sun and everything that travels around the sun, including nine planets and other smaller objects such as minor planets, comets, meteoroids and cosmic dust.

*After the sun, the moon is the brightest object in the sky.

*The inner solar system includes: the Sun (the center of our solar system), Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars

*The outer solar system includes: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune - (Pluto is now classified as a dwarf planet):

*There are five dwarf planets in our solar system: Pluto, Ceres, Eris, Makemake, and Haumea.

Small bodies in the solar system include: comets, asteroids, meteors, and meteorites.

---

Educational Science Powerpoints

---

Educational Science Animal Videos

---

Educational Science Videos

---

Reference Sites to Help in Your Research

Encyclopedia Smithsonian: Encyclopedia Smithsonian features answers to frequently asked questions about the Smithsonian and links to Smithsonian resources from A to Z

Information Please: On-Line Dictionary; Encyclopedia; Almanac, and MORE

National Geographic: Animal Profiles: Alphabetical drop down menu with facts, photos, and information about all types of animals and aquatic life

Toronto Zoo Animal Fact Sheets: Animals listed in alphabetical order by regions of the world

---

---