Meteorites are pieces of ancient celestial bodies, some so old they contain particles that formed before our Sun existed. These resources engage learners to explore how our solar system works, and how scientists think it all began.

Learn more by visiting the Origins of the Solar System section in the Arthur Ross Hall of Meteorites.

		Cosmic Chemistry Article for grades 3 through 12 What happened after the Big Bang? This comic strip explains the interactions that lead to the creation of stars, planetary nebulas, and supernovas.
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		Cosmic Cookies Activity for grades 3 through 8 Did you know Jupiter's Great Red Spot is really a 300-year-old hurricane that's twice as wide as Earth? Find out more awesome facts. Then celebrate your cosmic smarts with a solar system of cookies.
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		How the Sun Works Activity for grades 9 through 12 Talk about a long-term power source. For billions and billions of years, the Sun has been giving off energy that equals 4 x 1026 watts. What keeps the Sun burning so bright?
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		The Search for Life: Are We Alone? Educator's Guide Insert Activity for grades 6 through 12 Life exists on Earth because of the favorable balance of water, elements, and other conditions. What would happen if the balance changed? And what role did the formation of the solar system play?
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		Cecilia Payne and the Composition of the Stars Article for grades 9 through 12 What are the stars made of? At 25, Cecilia Payne answered this fundamental question in her Ph.D. thesis. Her pioneering work also made it possible to read a star's surface temperature.
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