Learn the planets in our solar system and in what order from our Sun.
Hopefully we can encourage all to learn a little about our solar system. For instance it appears surprising how few people know how many planets there are in our solar system let alone the names and approximate sizes of them. So the website 'skyatnight.org can help and assist with this and especially so for younger ones. Just to learn the fundamentals of our solar system would be most worthwhile in understanding a wider view of our world and the the things around it.
Our solar system extends much farther than the planets that orbit the Sun. The solar system also includes the Kuiper Belt that lies past Neptune's orbit. This is a ring of icy bodies, almost all smaller than the most popular Kuiper Belt Object – dwarf planet Pluto.
The uniqueness of our our planet earth is in itself an amazing wonder.
Listen to what two eminent writers have said on the subject:
“The world, when you look at it, it just can't be random. I mean, it's so different than the vast emptiness that is everything else, and even all the other planets we've seen, at least in our solar system, none of them even remotely resemble the precious life-giving nature of our own planet.”
Chris Hadfield - Canadian astronaut
“We live in a society exquisitely dependent on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology..”
Carl Sagan - American Scientist
Why not learn a little even just a few basic facts about our solar system and appreciate we are all part of a much bigger picture!
Consider the 'Our Solar System' pages of 'skyatnight.org' and share the information with friends and family.
Is It Really Important To Know About Our Solar System?
YES, Learning about how frail our planet is, can balance our thinking and raise awareness of how important it is to look after this 'one and only' planet and ensure we do our bit to support it, and considering that it is the only habitable one we’ve found so far, maybe too, we’ll think a little more often about doing our bit to support it and abuse it less!
So 'knowing' about our solar system can heighten our appreciation and increase our incentive to give greater respect for earths resources and considering that, although the Universe may indeed hold vast amounts of resources that we’ve yet to even name, let alone mine, our earth’s resources are dwindling fast, even precious things such as water – and our nearby planets are unlikely to help us much there!
Along with the above using 'skyatnight.org' can assist by useful pictures and presentations especially for those new to taking an interest in our night sky and children too.
YES, take a proactive approach and on a clear sky evening look up at the night sky, spot a simple constellation or planet (see 'skyatnight.org/constellations' to assist), make it fun for young ones and try to find something a little different each time where can we expand our and their experience of our glorious night sky.