Earth, Moon and the Sun: common misconceptions

If your child says… “Stars actually travel around the Pole Star.”

Ask together

Did the chair move when you turned?

What’s true

Stars seem to circle near the Pole Star because Earth turns with its axis pointing thereabouts.

If your child says… “Earth must travel around the Sun to make night.”

Ask together

Did you carry the ball around the torch to darken the dot?

What’s true

Rotation causes day and night without Earth completing its orbit around the Sun.

If your child says… “Those stars have travelled away.”

Ask together

Have the stars moved, or does Earth’s night side now face another direction?

What’s true

Different evening stars become visible because Earth changes position around the Sun.

If your child says… “Summer happens because Earth gets closer to the Sun.”

Ask together

The distances match here, so what gives the northern half more warmth in June?

What’s true

Seasons depend on tilt changing sunlight and day length, rather than Earth’s distance from the Sun.

If your child says… “The Moon must be as big as the Sun.”

Ask together

Does the coin grow when moving it closer hides more of the plate?

What’s true

How large something looks depends on both its size and its distance.

If your child says… “The Moon’s own shadow darkens it.”

Ask together

Which object blocks sunlight before it reaches the Moon?

What’s true

Earth casts the shadow that reaches the Moon during a lunar eclipse.