Introduction to the Solar System

Study Notes

The solar system includes a star, planets, asteroids, and comets
Earth's predictable phenomena, like seasons and eclipses, are due to the relative positions of the sun, Earth, and the moon
The objective of the lesson is to understand the history of the solar model and the components of the solar system.
Success criteria include contrasting geocentric and heliocentric models, and identifying solar system components.

Initially, the geocentric model, where Earth was the center, was created by the Greeks and further developed by Ptolemy
Ptolemy was an Egyptian astronomer
Geo- refers to Earth, and -centric refers to the center
Later, Aristarchus (3rd century) proposed the heliocentric model (Sun-centered), but it was refuted
In 1543, Nicolaus Copernicus proposed the heliocentric model once again. Sufficient evidence supported his claim and it was accepted.

Key evidence supporting the heliocentric model, which allowed Copernicus' theory to be accepted, was that it involved fewer assumptions and explained the retrograde motion of planets.
Retrograde motion means the apparent backward movement of planets
Other evidence includes the shapes of Venus (light reflection and position), the moons of Jupiter (natural satellites), and the sunsets on Mars (angular size of the sun).
- The angular size of the sun shows that increased distance from the Sun decreases the observed size.

Initially, evidence supporting the geocentric model included stellar parallax (movement of celestial bodies due to position).
However, distance alters stellar parallax, making the moon appear to follow you at night, because it's too far away to show an apparent shift.
The heliocentric model is correct because it also uses the concepts of shape of Venus, Moons of Jupiter, sunsets on Mars as proofs of the correctness.