32
Earth’s artificial satellites
Textbook: Part 2, pp. 21–23
GoalKnow what an artificial satellite is and its kinds (communication, navigation, weather, astronomical).
New words
artificial satellite · sun’iy yo‘ldoshantenna · antennasignal · signalnavigator · navigator
Explanation
Artificial satellites are flying machines made by people that circle Earth. The first artificial satellite, “Sputnik-1”, was launched in 1957; it was a metal ball with antennas. Today thousands of satellites orbit Earth. Communication satellites carry telephone, Internet and TV signals. Navigation satellites (GPS) help us find our location. Weather satellites watch clouds and help forecast the weather. Astronomical satellites study stars and planets.
Worked examples
The dish-shaped antenna on a rooftop receives TV signals from a satellite.
A map on our phone shows the way with help from GPS satellites.
Class activity
Game “Which satellite?”: cards name 4 kinds of satellites and their jobs (TV signal, finding location, watching rain and clouds, studying stars). Children find the pairs. Then draw your own “satellite” and write how it would be useful.
Practice
1
What is an artificial satellite?
a machine made by people that circles Earth
2
Which satellites watch the weather?
weather (meteorological) satellites
3
What is GPS for?
to find a location and the way