Astronomy Standards
  8-4.1 Summarize the characteristics and movements of objects in the solar system (including planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and meteors).
  8-4.2 Summarize the characteristics of the surface features of the Sun: photosphere, corona, sunspots, prominences, and solar flares.
  8-4.3 Explain how the surface features of the Sun may affect Earth.
  8-4.4 Explain the motions of Earth and the Moon and the effects of these motions as they orbit the Sun (including day, year, phases of the Moon, eclipses, and tides).
  8-4.5 Explain how the tilt of Earth's axis affects the length of the day and the amount of heating on Earth's surface, thus causing the seasons of the year.
  8-4.6 Explain how gravitational forces are influenced by mass and distance.
  8-4.7 Explain the effects of gravity on tides and planetary orbits.
  8-4.8 Explain the difference between mass and weight by using the concept of gravitational force.
  8-4.9 Recall the Sun's position in the universe, the shapes and composition of galaxies, and the distance measurement unit (light year) needed to identify star and galaxy locations.
  8-4.10 Compare the purposes of the tools and the technology that scientists use to study space (including various types of telescopes, satellites, space probes, and spectroscopes).