Unit 1

The Earth and the Universe

3. Teaching resources
Unit summary:

The Universe is everything that exists: space, matter,

energy, physical laws and time.
There are two different models that have explained
the position of the Earth within the Universe: centuries
ago, the Geocentric theory believed that the Earth
was stationary and at the centre of the Universe.
Today, the Heliocentric theory indicates that the
Sun is the centre of the Universe and all the celestial
bodies revolve around the Sun.
Our Solar System is in the Orion Arm that is inside a
spiral galaxy called the Milky Way.
The components of our Solar System are: the Sun,
planets, satellites, asteroid belt, dwarf planets and
comets.
The movements of the Earth are rotation, that takes
24 hours, and revolution, that takes 365 days and 6
hours.
An eclipse is produced when the Earth, the Moon and
the Sun align at the same point.
Tides are the regular changes of the sea level.
To know our position, we can observe celestial
bodies, use a compass, observe radar charts or use
more recent technology, such as GPS.

Autumn equinox
22nd 23rd September
Autumn in the northern hemisphere
Spring in the southern hemisphere

12

Winter solstice
21st 22nd December
Winter in the northern hemisphere
Summer in the southern hemisphere

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Spring equinox
20th 21st March
Spring in the northern hemisphere
Autumn in the southern hemisphere

Summer solstice
20th 21st June
Summer in the northern hemisphere
Winter in the southern hemisphere