The Sun and Our Solar System

By Jen Green

How do we know that the Sun is at the center of our solar system? This scientific theory is know as heliocentrism. This fascinating book looks at the historical controversies that surround the theory of heliocentrism and tells the stories of the scientists who worked on the theory. It also examines how the theory of heliocentrism was arrived at, how it was tested, and what impact the theory has had on our understanding of science today.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Capstone Young Readers
• Release date: May 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9781410992567

Jen Green

Salima Alikhan has been a freelance writer and illustrator for fourteen years. She lives in Austin, Texas, where she writes and illustrates children’s books. Salima also teaches creative writing at St. Edward’s University and English at Austin Community College. Her books and art can be found at www.salimaalikhan.net.

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Great Scientific Theories: The Sun and Our Solar System by Jen Green

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cover

Title Page

Ideas About the Solar System

Earth-Centered Universe

A Revolutionary Idea

How Planets Move

Galileo’s Telescope

Understanding the Solar System

Quiz

Timeline

Glossary

Read More

Index

Copyright

Back Cover

IDEAS ABOUT THE SOLAR SYSTEM

Science is about finding out how things work. That includes not just the world around us, but the universe, which is everything that exists. We now know the universe is so vast it’s hard to imagine. But long ago, people thought our tiny corner of the universe was the whole of space.

Scientific Ideas

For hundreds of years, scientists have tried to explain things by coming up with ideas about the way things work. These scientific ideas are known as hypotheses. When scientists believe they have collected enough evidence to show that their idea is correct, the idea becomes a theory.

What is the Solar System?

Our solar system is the sun and everything that moves around it. That includes planets, their moons, and billions of chunks of rock and ice. These circle the sun in paths called orbits.

Sun at the Center

We now know the sun is the center of our solar system. But for hundreds of years, people thought Earth was at the center. After all, from the planet’s surface, Earth seems to be still,