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(共33张PPT)
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Exploring Mars
Unit 4 Space exploration
Watch the video to know about Exploring Mars.
Exploring Mars
Mars is truly a fascinating planet for people on Earth. Although exploring the Red Planet has never been easy, scientists are determined to continue their explorations.
Lead-in
Free Talk
1. What do you know about Mars
It is the fourth planet from the Sun.
It has the largest volcano in the solar system.
It has an atmosphere which is made up mostly of carbon dioxide.
2. How do people explore Mars
By launching the Mars probe.
Mars probe consists of three parts:
the orbiter(环绕器)
the lander(着陆器)
the rover(探测器)
1. Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun and the smallest planet in the solar system.
2. It is one of the few planets that we can see with the naked eye.
3. Like Earth, Mars has volcanoes, valleys, polar ice caps, seasons, and weather.
4. Olympus Mons, the largest volcano on Mars, is about twice as high as Mount Qomolangma.
Task 1: How much do you know about Mars Read the statements below and decide whether they are true (T) or false (F).
T
F
T
F
T
F
T
F
Before you watch
While you watch
1. Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun and the smallest planet in the solar system.
2. It is one of the few planets that we can see with the naked eye.
3. Like Earth, Mars has volcanoes, valleys, polar ice caps, seasons, and weather.
4. Olympus Mons, the largest volcano on Mars, is about twice as high as Mount Qomolangma.
T
F

T
F
T
F
T
F



Check your answers in Before You Watch.
1. Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun and the smallest planet in the solar system.
T
F

2. It is one of the few planets that we can see with the naked eye.
T
F

3. Like Earth, Mars has volcanoes, valleys, polar ice caps, seasons, and weather.
T
F

4. Olympus Mons, the largest volcano on Mars, is about twice as high as Mount Qomolangma.
T
F

_____ The probe separates from the launch vehicle.
_____ The lander lands on the surface of Mars.
_____ The probe enters the Earth-Mars transfer orbit.
_____ Controllers on Earth guide the probe into the orbit around Mars.
_____ The lander discards the protective shield and the parachute.
_____ The space-to-ground communications link is created.
_____ The orbiter and the lander separate.
_____ The rover transmits data back to Earth and receives orders from Earth.
_____ The rover begins to explore the surface of Mars.
Task 2 : Put the events in the correct order.
Watch the video again.
_____ The probe separates from the launch vehicle.
_____ The lander lands on the surface of Mars.
_____ The probe enters the Earth-Mars transfer orbit.
_____ Controllers on Earth guide the probe into the orbit around Mars.
_____ The lander discards the protective shield and the parachute.
_____ The space-to-ground communications link is created.
_____ The orbiter and the lander separate.
_____ The rover transmits data back to Earth and receives orders from Earth.
_____ The rover begins to explore the surface of Mars.
1
2
3
5
6
4
7
8
9
Check your answers.
Task 3: Complete the passage with the words in the box.
a mostly barren planet
all attempted Mars missions
nearest planetary neighbor
thin atmosphere and greater distance
monitor the planet’s environment
discard the protective shield
space-to-ground communications link blanket the entire planet
Mars is truly a fascinating planet for those of us here on Earth. As our 1.___________________, it is one of the few planets that we can see with the naked eye. Mars is the 4th planet from the Sun and the second smallest planet in the solar system. It is about half of the size of Earth and is often referred to as the “Red Planet” because of its red surface. The Red Planet has the largest volcano in the solar system—Olympus Mons, which is roughly 27 kilometers high. That’s about 3 times as high as Mount Qomolangma. Mars also has the deepest, longest valley in the solar system—Valles Marineris. Mars has seasons like Earth, but the seasons on Mars are twice as long as the seasons on Earth.
Task 3: Complete the passage with the words in the box.
Mars also has an atmosphere, but it is very thin and made up mostly of carbon dioxide. Because of its 2.______________________ from the Sun, Mars is much colder than Earth. However, Mars does have weather with clouds and winds. The dust storms of Mars can grow so big that sometimes they 3.___________________ and last for months. The poles on Mars are a lot like Antarctica, capped by ice, but much of Mars’ ice is made from carbon dioxide, not water.
The similarities and differences between Earth and Mars raise many questions. Is Mars the past or the future of Earth How did it become 4.________________ Many scientists believe that studying Mars can help us answer some of the key questions about our planet Earth, or even the universe. Missions to Mars have never been easy. Since 1960, more than half of 5.___________________ have failed. The USA, Russia, the European Space Agency, and several other countries have lost many spacecraft in their quest to explore the Red Planet. Nevertheless, they will still continue their explorations. Chinese experts are confident about their plan to explore Mars, despite the many challenges.
Launching the first Mars probe from Wenchang around 2020 is the first step. The Chinese Mars probe consists of three parts: the orbiter, the lander and the rover. This 3D demonstration video made by the China Academy of Space Technology shows the 10-month flight of the Mars probe before it closes in on the Red Planet. Entering the Earth-Mars transfer orbit, the Mars probe separates from the launch vehicle. Then the 6.____________________ is created. Controllers on Earth guide it into the orbit around Mars. After collecting detailed information about the landing area, the probe is ready for the landing.
The orbiter and the lander separate. The orbiter stays in the orbit for at least a year to photograph key areas and 7.___________________, while the lander heads down to the surface of Mars. Nine kilometers above the planet, a large parachute opens to slow the landing craft as it falls. After 8.______________________ and the parachute, the lander chooses a safe place to land, where the Martian rover can start operations, collecting and transmitting data back to Earth. After receiving its orders from earth, the rover leaves the landing point and begins to explore the surface of Mars. This voyage of China’s first Mars probe is just the beginning of China’s deeper voyages into outer space. China will continue to explore strange new worlds, seeking answers to the mysteries of the universe.
Mars is truly a fascinating planet for those of us here on Earth. As our nearest planetary neighbor, it is one of the few planets that we can see with the naked eye. Mars is the 4th planet from the Sun and the second smallest planet in the solar system. It is about half of the size of Earth and is often referred to as the “Red Planet” because of its red surface. The Red Planet has the largest volcano in the solar system—Olympus Mons, which is roughly 27 kilometers high. That’s about 3 times as high as Mount Qomolangma. Mars also has the deepest, longest valley in the solar system—Valles Marineris. Mars has seasons like Earth, but the seasons on Mars are twice as long as the seasons on Earth.
Task 4: Read together.
Mars also has an atmosphere, but it is very thin and made up mostly of carbon dioxide. Because of its thin atmosphere and greater distance from the Sun, Mars is much colder than Earth. However, Mars does have weather with clouds and winds. The dust storms of Mars can grow so big that sometimes they blanket the entire planet and last for months. The poles on Mars are a lot like Antarctica, capped by ice, but much of Mars’ ice is made from carbon dioxide, not water.
The similarities and differences between Earth and Mars raise many questions. Is Mars the past or the future of Earth How did it become a mostly barren planet Many scientists believe that studying Mars can help us answer some of the key questions about our planet Earth, or even the universe. Missions to Mars have never been easy. Since 1960, more than half of all attempted Mars missions have failed. The USA, Russia, the European Space Agency, and several other countries have lost many spacecraft in their quest to explore the Red Planet. Nevertheless, they will still continue their explorations. Chinese experts are confident about their plan to explore Mars, despite the many challenges.
Launching the first Mars probe from Wenchang around 2020 is the first step. The Chinese Mars probe consists of three parts: the orbiter, the lander and the rover. This 3D demonstration video made by the China Academy of Space Technology shows the 10-month flight of the Mars probe before it closes in on the Red Planet. Entering the Earth-Mars transfer orbit, the Mars probe separates from the launch vehicle. Then the space-to-ground communications link is created. Controllers on Earth guide it into the orbit around Mars. After collecting detailed information about the landing area, the probe is ready for the landing.
The orbiter and the lander separate. The orbiter stays in the orbit for at least a year to photograph key areas and monitor the planet’s environment, while the lander heads down to the surface of Mars. Nine kilometers above the planet, a large parachute opens to slow the landing craft as it falls. After discarding the protective shield and the parachute, the lander chooses a safe place to land, where the Martian rover can start operations, collecting and transmitting data back to Earth. After receiving its orders from earth, the rover leaves the landing point and begins to explore the surface of Mars. This voyage of China's first Mars probe is just the beginning of China’s deeper voyages into outer space. China will continue to explore strange new worlds, seeking answers to the mysteries of the universe.
Discuss the following questions.
After you watch
1. How big is Mars compared to Earth
2. How long are the seasons on Mars
3. What is the ice on Mars made of
4. Why do so many scientists want to study Mars
5. What percent of missions to Mars have failed
6. What are the three parts of the Chinese Mars probe
7. How long will it take the probe to reach Mars
1. How big is Mars compared to Earth
2. How long are the seasons on Mars
3. What is the ice on Mars made of
It is about half of the size of Earth.
The seasons on Mars are twice as long as the seasons on Earth.
Much of Mars’ ice is made from carbon dioxide.
Watch the video and discuss the following questions.
4. Why do so many scientists want to study Mars
5. What percent of missions to Mars have failed
Because many scientists believe that studying Mars can help us answer some of the key questions about our planet Earth, or even the universe.
Since 1960, more than half of all attempted Mars missions have failed.
6. What are the three parts of the Chinese Mars probe
7. How long will it take the probe to reach Mars
The Chinese Mars probe consists of three parts: the orbiter, the lander and the rover.
Ten months.
Work in pairs. One student acts as a space expert and the other acts as a reporter. Use what you have learnt from the video to make up an interview.
A: So, tell me about Mars.
B: Well, it’s our nearest planetary neighbour, and one of the few planets that we can see with the naked eye.
A: Is it like Earth
B: In many ways it is. For example, it has volcanoes, valleys, and seasons like Earth. However, it is much colder than Earth, and its atmosphere is quite thin.
A: When does China expect to launch its first mission to Mars
B: Around 2020.
…
The earth is the cradle of humanity, but humans do not always stay in the cradle. —Tsiolkovski
地球是人类的摇篮，但人类不会永远生活在摇篮里。
——康斯坦丁·齐奥尔科夫斯基（著名的宇宙航行科学家）
That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. — Armstrong
这是个人的一小步，却是人类的一大步。
——尼尔·阿姆斯特朗（美国宇航员）
Summary
Write a short passage to introduce the basic information of Mars and China’s plan to explore Mars.
Homework
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