Solar System Lab

Background Information: If you look at the full moon and a golf ball they seem to be about the same size. They look about the same because they are at much different distances from you. For example, from Earth, the sun and moon appear to be about the same size because the moon is much closer to Earth.

Problem: How can you show the relative distances from the sun to the planets?

Procedure:

1. Find all the planets’ distances from the sun. Divide each of the planet’s distance by the earth’s distance from the sun. This is the planet’s A.U.

2. At one end of the strip of tape, write the word "Sun" and sketch the edge of the sun. Use a meter stick to mark the distances from the sun, in centimeters, on your tape to the location of the center of each planet. (When you measure in centimeters, move the decimal point in the A.U. measurement one place to the right.)

3. Sketch and label the planets in the correct positions on the strip, taking into consideration their relative diameter and color. Make the Earth's diameter about the same as your pencil's eraser. The Earth is 150 million Kilometers from the sun.

Planet / Astronomical Units
From the Sun / Distances in Kilometers from the Sun / Diameter of the Planets in Relation to Earth
Mercury / 1/2
Venus / 1
Earth / 1.00 / 150,000,000 / 1
Mars / 1/2
Jupiter / 11
Saturn / 9
Uranus / 4
Neptune / 4
Pluto / 1/5

Team Conclusion: (answer and explain the problem question)

Questions: (copy the following questions)

1. What is an astronomical unit, (A.U.)?

2. Excluding Pluto, compare and contrast the four closest planets from the sun to the four farthest planets from the sun.

3. Why were you asked to exclude Pluto?

4. Why do the planets orbit the sun?