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Astronomy for Educators - Solar System Scale
The goal of this activity is to make a scale model of the solar system and compare the distance of the planets from the sun. This activity could spur conversation about atmosphere on the planets, temperatures, why astronauts don't travel to the planets (and which ones might travel be possible in the future), and a host of related subjects after the model has been completed.
To prepare for the activity, cut a strip of paper 24 inches long and 3 inches wide. Lay the paper vertically on a flat surface. (Pluto is added to this activity.)
- At the top of the paper, write Sun.
- At the bottom, write Pluto.
- Fold the strip in half and reopen. On the crease, write Uranus.
- Fold Pluto to Uranus. Write Neptune.
- Fold Sun to Uranus. Write Saturn.
- Fold Sun to Saturn. Write Jupiter.
- Fold Sun to Jupiter. Write Asteroid Belt.
- Fold Sun to Asteroid Belt. Write Mars.
- Fold Sun to Mars. Write Venus.
- Write Mercury in between Sun and Venus
- Write in Earth in between Venus and Mars.
Credit: http://mcdonaldobservatory.org/sites/default/files/ScaleDistancesSolarSystem-teacher.pdf which was adapted from an activity created by Pam Whiffen of The Solar System Ambassadors Program - sponsored by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Caltech, and NASA
