Here are the key notes from Class 6 NCERT Geography – Chapter 1: The Earth in the Solar System

 

 The Celestial Bodies

  • Celestial bodies are all natural objects that shines in the night sky like the Sun, Moon, and stars.
  • They are huge, hot, and made of gases. They emit their own heat and light.
  • Constellations are patterns formed by groups of stars (e.g., Ursa Major, Orion, Saptarishi).

 THE SOLAR SYSTEM

  The Sun

  • The Sun is the nearest star to Earth and the main source of energy.
  • The Sun is about 150 million km away from the Earth
  • The Sun is at the center and holds everything together due to its gravitational force.

The Planets

    • Planets do not have their own light; they reflect sunlight.
    • The eight planets in order from the– Farthest planet from the Sun.
        • Mercury – Smallest and closest to the Sun.
        • Venus – Hottest planet, known as Earth’s twin.
        • Earth – The only planet with life, has water and oxygen.
        • Mars – Known as the Red Planet.
        • Jupiter – Largest planet, has a Great Red Spot.
        • Saturn – Has beautiful rings.
        • Uranus – Rotates on its side.
        • Neptune– Farthest from the Sun.
Tricks to remember:

My Very Efficient Mother Just Served Us Nuts

Pluto (Dwarf Planet) till 2009 its was also considered as a planet.

Size: Jupiter> Saturn> Uranus> Neptune> Earth> Venus> Mars> Mercury

One Axis: Jupiter(9h56min) < Saturn(10h40min) < Neptune(16h7min) < Uranus(17h 14min) < Earth(24h) < Mars(24h37min)< Mercury(59d) < Venus(243d)

One orbit around the Sun: Neptune(164y) >Uranus(84y)> Saturn 29y5m)> Jupiter(11y11m)> Mars(687d) > Earth(365d)> Venus(255d) > Mercury(88d)

 The Earth

  • The Earth shape is Geoid
  • It is also called a Blue Planet because its two thirds surface is covered with water
  • Earth has favourable conditions for life:
    • Temperature is neither too hot nor too cold
    • Has water and air
    • Has life supporting gases like oxygen

The Moon – Earth’s Only Natural Satellite

  • The Moon revolves around the Earth.
  • It has no light of its own, reflects the Sun’s light.
  • No atmosphere, no water, extreme temperatures.
  • Its diameter is only one-quarter that of the earth
  • It is about 3,84,400 km away from earth
  • The moon moves around the earth in about 27 days and same time to complete one spin.

  • Asteroids: tiny bodies which move around the sun

    • They are found between Mars and Jupiter
  • Meteoroids:
    • The small pieces of rocks which move around the sun.
    • Small rock fragments in space, burn upon entering Earth’s atmosphere (shooting stars)..
  • Satellite;  a celestial body that moves around the planets in the same way as the planets moves around the sun. ex- Moon
  • Human made satellite; it is an aritificial satellite that move around the planet. Ex- INSAT, IRS, EDUSAT,  etc
  • Galaxy: A huge system of billions of stars, and clouds of dust.
    • Milky Way: Our galaxy, where the Solar System is located.
    • Also called Akash Ganga
  • Universe: millions of galaxies make the Universe

Fun facts

  • ‘Sol’ in Roman mythology is the ‘Sungod’. ‘Solar’ means ‘related to the sun’
  • Greek word geo (Earth)
    • Geography: Writing of Earth
    • Geology: Study of Earth
    • Geometry: Measurement of Earth
    • Geoid: Shape of Earth
  •  light travels at the speed of about 300,00  km per second and it take about eight minute to reach the earth.
  • Neil Armstrong was the first man to step on the surface of moon on 20 July 1969.
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