Earth and space
Planets of our Solar System
Learn about the role of the Sun in the Solar System, the different types of planets and the key features of the planets.
What is the Earth?
The Earth was formed 4.5 billion years ago. Find out about the speed it spins and how it orbits the Sun.
What is the solar system?
Explore the solar system and learn the order of the planets.
What is the Sun?
Find out how the Sun is a star that gives out heat and light.
What are the rocky planets?
Find out which planets are the rocky planets and how to identify them.
What are the gas planets?
Find out which planets are the gas planets and what makes them different from the rest.
How does the Sun affect the weather?
Find out how the sun affects our weather.
Why is the temperature different in different places on Earth?
Find out how the Equator affects temperature around the world.
How do reactions power rockets?
Tim Peake and Fran Scott explore the explosive power of rocket fuel and how astronauts get to the International Space Station.
How do you stay alive in space?
Tim Peake and Fran Scott explore the effect of space on the body.
Do waves hold the secrets of space?
Tim Peake and Fran Scott explore what sound and light waves tell us about space.
Can you make outer space in your kitchen?
Tim Peake and Fran Scott explore outer space and comets.
How do astronauts get home?
Tim Peake and Fran Scott explore how astronauts make the trip from the International Space Station back to Earth.
Tim Peake: Ask an astronaut
Select from the list of questions to find out about Tim Peake's mission to the International Space Station.
What is evaporation and condensation?
Find out about changing state from a liquid to a gas by the process of evaporation and condensation.
What is the water cycle?
Find out how water is constantly moving around the environment through the water cycle.
How does the water cycle affect weather?
Find out about the journey water makes every day and how it affects the weather.
Video playlist
All about the planets with St Ninian's Primary School. Video
Join pupils from St Ninian's Primary School as they take us round the planets in our solar system.
The planet Uranus. Video
A quick guide to the planet Uranus, the seventh planet from the sun.
How do we know the Earth is spherical? (signed) Video
A look at the evidence for the Earth being round or spherical.
The Moon. Video
Images of the Moon and historical news footage of the first Moon landing.
How do we know the Earth is spherical? Video
The evidence for the Earth being round or spherical using Aristotle's reasoning.
The planet Jupiter. Video
A quick guide to Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system.
The planet Venus. Video
A quick guide to Venus, the brightest planet in the sky.
The water cycle. Video
An explanation of each stage of the water cycle.
Sun, shadows and time of day. Video
How you can tell the time of day from shadows cast by the sun.
The planet Neptune. Video
A quick guide to the planet Neptune, which is composed mainly of water.
The Moon and its orbit around Earth. Video
Why and how the shape of the Moon appears to change when seen from the Earth.
The Sun - a source of energy. Video
How the Sun is the main source of energy for life on earth.
Gravity on Earth, Jupiter and Pluto. Video
The different effects of gravity on Earth compared to Jupiter or Pluto.
What does the Sun really look like? Video
A description of the Sun’s physical appearance and the reasons for this.
