Earth's Orbit Teacher Resources

Why doesn't the moon just crash into the Earth? And why doesn't the Earth crash into the Sun? What are orbits exactly and why do they happen? Well, it has to do with gravity and velocity. In this episode of Crash Course Kids, Sabrina...

Construct a model that helps to show how satellites stay in orbit around the Earth. Then see how a flashlight can help explain how a satellite can send messages to different locations.

In this online textbook, students explore the phases of the moon, the moon's orbit, the origin of the moon, and the tides. Includes numerous inquiry-based activities.

A satellite is orbiting the Earth at a given height and students are asked to find the distance it travels to complete 70 percent of an orbit. This task provides a context for connecting an angle in radians to the arc length intercepted...

For the first time, NASA scientists have generated a full image of the sun, front and back, using twin orbiting satellites. The new view of Earth's star will allow for the study of solar weather events like coronal mass ejections that...

3-D Data from ICESat: Orbiting the Earth at nearly 17,000 miles per hour, NASA's Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite (ICESat) is collecting spectacular new three-dimensional measurements of the Earth's surface and atmosphere.

Video lecture explores what causes precession and other orbital changes. [2:26]

This resource provides information about Earth and space. In addition, there is a quiz provided.

Nutation is a small cyclical motion superimposed upon the steady 26,000-year precession of the Earth's axis of rotation. It is mainly caused by the gravitational effect of the 18.6-year rotation period of the Moon's orbit. The main...

Video lecture explains why astronauts appear weightless despite being near the Earth. [7:12]

The following video provides a brief explanation as to why we only see one side of the moon from planet Earth. [2:27]

Omar helps his parents sell things at the market. Join him while he learns about the relationship of the Sun, Moon, and Earth.

Third graders use their bodies to act out the motions of earth.

Information on Mercury 6, the first American manned orbital space mission.

An ebook filled with information and classroom activities covering several astrological topics such as the Earth's rotation and the solar system. Many tips and teaching tools are available to aid in discovering what the sky has to offer.

Eight hands-on lessons module in which students explore the characteristics of planet Earth, its moons, the sun, the solar system, planets, and the difference between science fact and science fiction.

A university-level course that looks at the structure of the solar system, the sun, the planets, and other bodies in space. Includes course readings, assignments, and study notes.

A lesson for third graders in which they learn about the rotation of the Earth on its axis and how this movement creates day and night. They also examine the orbit of the moon about the Earth and the Earth's orbit around the sun.

This lesson will analyze the role of the sun and moon relative to the earth's orbit. It is 2 of 4 in the series titled "The Sun and Moon."

This lesson will analyze the role of the sun and moon relative to the earth's orbit. It is 3 of 4 in the series titled "The Sun and Moon."

This lesson will analyze the role of the sun and moon relative to the earth's orbit. It is 4 of 4 in the series titled "The Sun and Moon."

This site from NASA provides a detailed description of events following the successful 3 Earth orbit mission of the Friendship 7 Mercury spacecraft.

Take a look at the cyclical phenomena at work in the universe. Learn about the subtle changes in the sky that take place over time as the Earth circles the sun, following along the ecliptic. Learn how the tilt of the Earth's axis has a...

Students perform many inquiry activities related to Earth's orbit. Included are recording daily temperatures, observing the sun's path over several weeks, tracking sunrise and sunset times, and angle of sunlight. Diagrams make lessons...