Stars: Balls of Hot Gas

What You'll Learn

Stars are massive balls of hot gas that produce light and heat through nuclear fusion. Our sun is a medium-sized star that provides the energy needed for life on Earth.

Key Words

gravity
solar system
inner planets

Steps

Step 1 — Read

Study the diagram and label the parts you recognize.

Step 2 — Do

Model Earth's tilt and seasons: hold a globe tilted at 23.5° and walk it around a lamp (the sun). Observe which hemisphere gets more direct light at each position.

Step 3 — Observe

Draw a detailed diagram of what you observe.

Step 4 — Record

Write a conclusion: what did your results show? Did they match your prediction?

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

1 of 3

What is a constellation?