World Book Online: Space Exploration

Transcription

1 World Book Online: The trusted, student-friendly online reference tool. Name: Date: Space Exploration Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered about the stars, moon, and planets? You re not alone! Many people have wanted to explore outer space and to learn what s out there! We know a lot about space, but there are still many questions to answer. Maybe one day you can be one of the next space explorers! Let s prepare for your trip by discovering what astronauts already know about outer space! Find It! Go to Click on Kids. If prompted, log on with ID and password. Find the answers to the questions below by using the Search tool to search key words. Since this activity is about space exploration, you can start by searching the key words space exploration. Write the answers on the lines provided or in the space below the question. 1. Space exploration is traveling into space to gather information about the. (3 words) 2. What types of things might people learn about because of space exploration? 3. What makes up Earth s atmosphere? 4. Most scientists say that space begins somewhere around miles ( kilometers) above Earth. (2 numbers) 5. What types of tasks do satellites perform? Name at least two. 6. Gravity gives weight to everything on Earth! How does a spacecraft push itself past gravity into space?

2 7. What does a spacecraft need to take into space for the astronauts aboard to survive? 8. Imagine that you are an astronaut aboard a spacecraft. In addition to the items needed to survive that are already listed above, what are two more items that you want to take with you? 9. According to the World Book article, astronauts can enjoy the of space from spacecraft window. (2 words) 10. Imagine that you re an astronaut looking out of the window from your space shuttle. Draw an object that you might see in space and label it! If you need inspiration, try searching for ideas in World Book (search suggestions: Earth, planet, moon, star, asteroid, etc.). 11. Stay safe! An astronaut s special suit, known as a space suit, keeps him or her safe outside of the spacecraft. Explain what each item does to protect the astronaut! Many layers of material: Backpack: Helmet: Thin, flexible gloves: Radio:

3 12. According to the World Book article, what month, day, and year did space exploration begin? 13. What is the name of the first human to travel in space, and where was he from? 14. When did people start exploring outer space? Fill in each planet with the correct years: First humans voyage U.S. astronaut Neil A. Astronauts and cosmo- The first reusable The U.S. space shuttle to the moon in the Armstrong became the nauts developed skills spaceship, program ended in the year: first person to set foot on for living on space Columbia, blasted year: the moon in the year: stations in the year: off in the year: 15. Nowadays, space probes are launched into space. Think about where the space probes travel to, according to the World Book article. Why do you think it s safer for the probes to go without people aboard? 16. What were the names of two space probes that were launched in 1977 with the mission to leave our solar system? See It! In the Space Exploration article (and in the tab titled Pictures, Videos, and More ) there are a number of space exploration pictures. Find the picture of two astronauts titled To sleep aboard a spacecraft and answer the following questions. 17. Going to bed in space is a lot more complicated than it is here on Earth! While you might sleep on a mattress with a blanket, what items do you see these astronauts using to get comfortable? 18. Why do you think the astronauts are strapped to the wall? (If you don t know, you can read the article Space Exploration to find out!)

4 Watch It! In the Space Exploration article (and in the tab titled Pictures, Videos, and More ) there are a number of space exploration pictures. Find the video titled WB Explains: Where does space begin? and answer the following questions. 19. If a rocket leaves Earth s surface and climbs upward, the atmosphere changes. How does it change? 20. What is the difference between the air above and below the Kármán line (named after Theodore von Kármán)? Read more by visiting World Book s ebook collection: Space Exploration. Chicago: World Book, A Look At. World ebook. Web. 15 Oct <

5 Teacher Page In-Class Extension Activity: In the Space Exploration article (and in the tab titled More Information ) there is an activity titled Balloon Rocket Launch that uses balloons to show students the basic mechanics of a rocket launch. This activity may require teacher supervision. Plus, it s fun! Answers: 1. Space exploration is traveling into space to gather information about the universe beyond Earth. 2. Space exploration could help people discover how the sun, the planets, and the stars were formed. People might also learn whether life exists on other planets. With each mission, scientists gain knowledge that will help plan future missions. 3. Air 4. Most scientists say that space begins somewhere around 60 miles (95 kilometers) above Earth. 5. Satellites beam television programs and telephone calls all around the globe, track weather patterns, and aid in ship and airplane navigation. 6. Booster rockets burn fuel. The burning gives off gases that push the spacecraft off the ground and into the air. 7. Spacecrafts must provide everything the astronauts need to survive, including food, drink, air, heating, cooling, special toilets, easy-to-make meals, and places to sleep and to store trash. 8. Answers will vary. 9. Astronauts can enjoy the magnificent view of space from the spacecraft window. 10. Drawings will vary. 11. Many layers of material: Keeps the astronaut from getting too hot or cold. It also protects against impacts. Backpack: Provides air to breathe Helmet: Blocks out strong, harmful rays from the sun Thin, flexible gloves: Allows the astronaut to feel small objects and handle tools Radio: Allows the astronaut to communicate with the crew and mission control 12. Space exploration began on October 4, 1957.

6 13. Yuri A. Gagarin, a Soviet cosmonaut, was the first human being to travel in space. 14. First humans voyage to the moon in year: 1968 U.S. astronaut Neil A. Armstrong became the first person to set foot on the moon in year: 1969 Astronauts and cosmonauts developed skills for living on space stations in year: 1970 s The first reusable spaceship, Columbia, blasted off in year: 1981 The U.S. space shuttle program ended in year: Space probes study planets, which are too far away from humans to go to safely. Space probes can travel father than humans because they do not have physical needs in order to survive. 16. Voyager 1 and 2 will be the first spacecraft to leave the solar system. 17. The astronauts are using a strap attached to the wall in order to stay in place, sleeping bags, blindfolds, and earpieces. 18. Because there is no gravity, astronauts are strapped to the wall so they do not float away while sleeping. 19. The atmosphere gets thinner and thinner as the rocket climbs upward. 20. Above the line, air is thin and flight requires a special spacecraft. Flight is possible by normal aircraft below the line.