Name the planets and state approximate relative sizes and spacing.

3.2

State that Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn have been observed since ancient times.

3.3

Outline the discoveries of Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.

3.4

Describe the surface features, atmosphere, temperature and composition of the planets.

Explain why Earth is the most suitable planet for life.

3.6

Describe the satellite systems and main physical features of Io, Titan, Miranda and Triton.

3.7

Describe the main differences between Pluto and the other major planets.

3.8

Describe the appearance, nature and composition of the ring systems of Saturn and Uranus.

3.9

Distinguish between planets and stars, state that stars emit light and planets reflect starlight.

3.10

State that planets move in elliptical orbits, close to the ecliptic plane, within the zodiac band.

3.11

Explain how the position of a planet depends on the relative positions of Earth and the planet.

3.12

Identify direct and retrograde motion, and stationary points, on planetary tracks on star maps.

Explain the meaning of the terms greatest elongation, conjunction and opposition.

3.14

Explain the meaning of the terms transit and occultation.

3.15

Explain what asteroids are and how they may have formed.

3.16

Describe the appearance and motion of the asteroids and the position of the asteroid belt.

3.17

Explain why comet Shoemaker-Levi caused consideration of risk of impacts with Earth.

3.18

Describe the main contributions of Copernicus, Kepler and Galileo to heliocentric theory.

3.19

Galileo: sunspots, Venus phases, lunar craters, Jovian moons, Saturn’s rings, Milky Way stars.

3.20

State Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion: 1. Elliptical orbits, 2. Equal areas, 3. T² a R³.

3.21

Use Kepler’s Third Law to relate orbital periods and distances, (T₁/T₂)² = (R₁/R₂)³.

3.22

Use Kepler’s Third Law for one body in the form T² = R³.

3.23

Describe the inverse square law, in gravitational attraction, and light intensity with distance.

3.24

Use Newton’s Law of Gravitation in simple applications, F = GMm/r².

3.25

Explain the connection between Newton’s Law of Gravitation and Kepler’s earlier work.

3.26

Describe meteor showers and explain that they arise from dust particles orbiting the Sun.

3.27

Explain the occurrence of periodic meteor showers, and the divergence from the radiant point.

3.28

Explain the connection between comets and meteoroids.

3.29

Describe the nature of meteorites and micrometeorites.

3.30

Describe the features of a comet, nucleus, coma, composition of two tails and how they shine.

3.31

Distinguish between planetary and cometary orbits.

3.32

Describe the location and nature of the Oort cloud, and the origin of long-period comets.

3.33

Describe the location and nature of the Kuiper belt and possible derivation of short-period comets.