12 The Night Sky

Stars shine at night. They make their own light. The Sun is an example of a star and is the closest star to Earth. However, we can't see it at night because we are facing away from it.

The Moon shines at night. It is made of rock and does not make its own light. It is light from the Sun that makes the Moon shine.

Sometimes we can see planets in the sky at night. Planets do not make their own light, but light from the Sun makes them look bright. Mars and Venus are the closest planets to Earth.

In the daytime, the Sun is too bright for us to see the stars.

Word List

Moon : a large object near the Earth that is made of rock and gets its light from the Sun

planet : a large object in space that does not make its own light

You Practice

I. Short answers—Find the correct answers in the reading.

1） We can see these in the night sky: M _ _ _, s _ _ _ _, p _ _ _ _ _ _

2） They do not make their own light: M _ _ _, p _ _ _ _ _ _

3） They make their own light: p _ _ _ _ _ _

4） They are the closest planets to Earth: M _ _ _, V _ _ _ _

II. Read the sentences carefully. Write Yes or No.

____ 1） Mars is a planet.

____ 2） The Moon makes its own light.

____ 3） We can see stars at night.

III. Answer the following questions.

1） What can we see that makes its own light?

2） Why can't we see stars in the daytime?

3） What is the Moon made of?

4） Would you like to visit another planet? Why or why not?

5） Do you think people will live on the Moon someday? Why or why not?

IV. Wrong sentences—Each sentence has one mistake. Correct them.

1） The Moon is made of cheese._________

2） The Moon gets its light from people._________

3） Mars is a star._________

4） The Sun shines at night._________

5） Mars and Venus are the furthest planets from Earth. _________