There are many times that humans use terms in ways that cause confusion about the facts, and results in misunderstanding of what is true about our world. These are the types of ideas that this blog will address. Together we will contemplate understanding of science content to demystify beliefs that counteract the reality of science. As a former Science Teacher, I have experienced many years of misuse of science and technology terms due to common language using the same word differently. This results in confusion that could be avoided. The gap between human language and science is often where finding Science hard comes from.

I am going to take a step back for a moment – I used a word that you might find hard to read or understand. That word is demystified. This word is not often used; however, it is powerful when used correctly. It is what some of my former students (and family members) call a Ph.D. word. Demystify means make a difficult word or subject clearer and easier to understand. A word that would make my mom smile, if she were with us.

 

Now, down to the business of sunrise, sunset, and science.  

Every morning, we wake up to the sunrise, although sometimes it is still dark when we wake. Every evening, especially in autumn, and if we are lucky to be living near a lake or river, we start preparing for sleep as the Sun Sets.  How is this fact, something that needs demystified?  

 

The definition of sunrise is that it is the time of day when the sun appears with full daylight. Sunset is the opposite of sunrise. I am sure you are aware of the terms. The problem is that people will say that the sun moved so the shade changed. Which is totally not backed by science. The fact that the sun does not revolve around any planet was demystified by Galileo Galilei. Check his story out – it is fascinating.

 

The facts have been known and were proven in the 1590’s. The Sun does move but it is considered stationary. It experiences motion as part of the galaxy’s rotation and a wobble caused by the movement of planets surrounding it due to its massive gravitational pull that attracts all other planets, causing planets to gravitate toward the Sun and rotate around it.
Look carefully at the image of the solar system.