The Sun-Earth-Moon System

 a.)  Examine Earth's physical characteristics

 b.)  Differentiate between rotation and revolution

 c.)  Discuss what causes seasons to change

 d.)  Identify phases of the Moon and their cause

 e.)  Explain why solar and lunar eclipses occur

  f.)  Infer what the Moon's surface features may reveal about its history

 g.)  Describe recent discoveries about the Moon

 h.)  Examine facts about the Moon that might influence future space travel

 The Solar System

 a.)  Compare the Sun-centered and Earth-centered models of the solar system

 b.)  Describe current models of the formation of the solar system

 c.)  List the inner planets in their relative order from the Sun

 d.)  Describe important characteristics of each inner planet

 e.)  Compare and contrast Venus and Earth               

  f.)  Describe the major characteristics of Jupiter/ Saturn/ and Neptune

 g.)  Explain how Pluto differs from the other outer planets

 h.)  Describe where comets come from and how a comet develops as it approaches
       the Sun

  i.)  Distinguish among comets/ meteoroids/ and asteroids

 Stars and Galaxies

 a.)  Explain why the positions of constellations change throughout the year

 b.)  Distinguish between absolute magnitude and apparent magnitude

 c.)  Describe how parallax is used to determine distance

 d.)  Describe the structure of the Sun

 e.)  Explain how sunspots/prominences and solar flares are related

  f.)  Explain why the Sun is considered an average star and how it differs from stars in binary systems

 g.)  Describe how stars are classified

  h.)  Explain how the temperature of a star relates to its color

   i.)  Describe how a star evolves

      j.)  Identify the three main types of galaxies

  k.)  List several characteristics of the Milky Way Galaxy

   l.)  Describe evidence that supports the Big Bang theory

   Exploring Space

  a.)  Compare and contrast natural and artificial satellites

  b.)  Identify the differences between artificial satellites  and space probes

  c.)  Explain the history of the race to the Moon

  d.)  Explain the benefits of the space shuttle

  e.)  Identify the usefulness of orbital space station

   f.)  Explore future space missions