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Journal Entry - Take out your science journal and answer the following question(s) (use drawings as appropriate):
Write what you know about the distances of the planets.

Have you ever noticed that posters of the entire solar system make it look like the planets are exactly the same distance from each other?  In fact, some planets are relatively close together, and some planets are very far apart.  Since things are so vast in the solar system, astronauts use a unit of measurement called an Astronomical Unit. 

1 AU = 149.6 million km (the distance from the Sun to the Earth)

This activity will help you understand the distance between each of the planets. Remember that this is a model and is not meant to be totally accurate!

 

 

Materials:

  • One roll of toilet paper- at least 40 sheets
  • Chart showing the number of A.Us each planet is from the sun.

Procedure:

  1. You can do this activity alone or with a group of friends.
  2. You will need to be in a long hallway or outside. Unroll the toilet paper and mark each planet according to the chart.  One A.U. is equal to one square of toilet paper.
  3. When all the planets are marked, observe your model.
  4. Answer the questions below.
    5.

Chart of Planet Distances

PLANET

Astronomical Units

Mercury

0.4

Venus

0.7

Earth

1

Mars

1.5

Jupiter

5.2

Saturn

9.5

Uranus

19.2

Neptune

30

Pluto

39.5

Analysis: Record your answers in your science journal.

  1. Using neighboring planets (ones that are right next to each other):
    • Which two neighboring planets are closest together?
    • Which two neighboring planets are farthest apart?
    2.
  2. Which planets are closest together–the inner or outer planets?
  3. Which planets are the warmest?
  4. Which are the coldest?
  5. What would the view of the sun be if you were standing on each planet?
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Get the plug-ins: Get Adobe Acrobat Reader , and Get Quicktime Player (The QuickTime plug-in is needed to play sounds and movies correctly.)

Want to share a photograph of you or your friends doing this activity? Send the photograph attached to an e-mail with the following information: the title of the activity, the URL (Internet address), and your name. Remember that no picture can be used showing student faces or with a student name on it.

Send comments to Glen Westbroek.

Updated July 21, 2005 by: Glen Westbroek

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