Lesson 1 of 10
A star, a planet, or the Moon?
Show on a big screenThe dots in the night sky all look the same. Are they?
Loading lab…
Step 1 of 4
- Three dots in the sky. They look the same.
- One makes its own light. It is a star.
- One circles the Sun and reflects its light. A planet.
- One circles the Earth and reflects its light. The Moon.
The rule
No: they can be stars, planets or the Moon.
- Star — makes its own light.
- Planet — circles the Sun. A planet only reflects the Sun's light.
- Moon — circles a planet. Our Moon circles Earth. The Moon only reflects the Sun's light.
To circle is to go round something. To reflect is to send light back.
A star's dot twinkles, so its light seems to shake. A planet's dot shines steadily.
Watch out!
The Sun is a star. It is far bigger than any planet. Other stars look tiny only because they are far away.
Try the lab to finish this lesson.