Io (moon)

High school (ages 12+)
Space & Astronomy

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/io-moon

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. How tall is Io (moon)?Can reach up to 500 km (300 mi) above the surface
2. Who discovered Io (moon)?January 7, 1610
3. What is the scientific name?Io
4. What is the orbital period?Approximately 1.77 Earth days
5. What makes Io the most volcanic moon in the solar system?Io has more than 400 active volcanoes that erupt sulfur and sulfur dioxide, making it the most geologically active moon.
6. How do Io's volcanoes create its colorful surface?The volcanoes spew sulfur and sulfur dioxide, which spread across the surface and give Io bright yellow, red, white, black, and green colors.

Orbital Resonance: A periodic, gravitational interaction between two orbiting bodies.
Tidal Heating: Internal heat generated by frictional forces from gravitational stresses.
Silicate Rock: Rock composed primarily of silicate minerals, common in terrestrial planets.
Plasma Torus: A ring-shaped cloud of ionized gas surrounding a celestial body.