Name______Hour_____

Score _____ /20 pts

Galaxy Surfing Webquest

Go to http://www.windows2universe.org/kids_space/milky_way_ask.html and check out cool stuff about the Milky Way Galaxy. Feel free to check out the hyperlinks within the text or the “Galaxies” tab. Another great website about the Milky Way is http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/solarsystem/where.shtml .

Answer the questions below in the front of your notebook. Title and date the NB page. Use good sentence structure so you know what question your answer relates to.

1.  How far across is our galaxy (the Milky Way)? ______

2.  How can you locate the center of our galaxy standing here on Earth?______

______

3.  Explain how the solar system is moving in relation to our galaxy.______

______

4.  How long does it take the sun to orbit the center of the galaxy? ______

5.  What type (shape) of galaxy is the Milky Way and where is our Solar System (& Sun) located ?

**Draw and label both diagrams below (with the sun) to answer this question. (4 pts)

Our Galaxy type (shape) is a ______(1 pt)

Side view (1.5 pts) Top view (1.5 pts)

plus sun plus sun

6.  Now, for fun…Google and figure out WHY our galaxy is called the “Milky Way”.

______

(over) (Scroll to the next page. See below)

Go to http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap050104.html : Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD)

Read this APOD (Astronomy Picture of the Day) about the Milky Way.

7.  Explain how scientists think the Milky Way looks. ______

______

8.  How will I know that I’m seeing the Milky Way if I look up at the night sky on a clear, dark night? (Hint: Click on “Milky Way” in the last sentence of the APOD)

______

______

Go to http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap120312.html Interactive. Explore the Known Universe to Scale

Please focus on the objects "Out of this world" (bigger than Earth) .

With your partner come up with:

9.  5-Amazing and useful astronomical facts you have learned--focus these
facts from the area between the Sun and the edge of our Galaxy

a. ______

b. ______

c. ______

d. ______

e. ______

10.  3-Things you learned from beyond (farther out from) the Milky Way.

a. ______

b. ______

c. ______

11.  1-thing you won't ever forget from this interactive piece of wonder

a.  ______