Solar System Scale - Revision history

imported>Stwikiadmin at 14:15, 9 June 2016

2016-06-09T14:15:50Z

imported>Stwikiadmin at 19:35, 8 June 2016

2016-06-08T19:35:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:35, 8 June 2016
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	==Why This Works==		==Why This Works==
	~~'''''COMING SOON'''''~~
	~~<!--~~		The purpose of this demonstration is to give a very visual representation of the relative sizes and distances to the different planets. Almost all of the students you present this to will have heard of the planets, but it might be hard for them to visualize the size of the other planets in our solar system, and the size of the earth in comparison. The table below lists the information you need when naming all the planets.
	The purpose of this demonstration is to give a very visual representation of the relative sizes and distances to the different planets. Almost all of the students you present this to will have heard of the planets, but it might be hard for them to visualize the size of the other planets in our solar system, and the size of the earth in comparison. The table below lists the information you need when naming all the planets:

	{\| class="wikitable" style="color:black; background-color:#ddd; text-align: left; margin-right: auto"		{\| class="wikitable" style="color:black; background-color:#ddd; text-align: left; margin-right: auto"
	~~\|+ Solar System Facts~~
	\|'''Planet'''		\|'''Planet'''
	\|'''Length of Day/'''		\|'''Length of Day/'''
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	\|-		\|-
	\|Jupiter		\|Jupiter
	\|1 Day = ~~0.41 Earth Days~~		\|1 Day = 9 Hours 55 min
	1 Year = 11.8 Earth Years		1 Year = 11.8 Earth Years
	\| Size = 1,321 Earths		\| Size = 1,321 Earths
	\|		\|
	* Jupiter is the most massive planet in our solar system, ~~being~~ 2.5 times ~~larger~~ than all the other planets combined!		* Jupiter is the most massive planet in our solar system, having 2.5 times more mass than all the other planets combined!
	* Jupiter has 67 known satellites, the largest being comparable in size to Mercury.		* Jupiter has 67 known satellites, the largest being comparable in size to Mercury.
	* Jupiter's Great Red Spot is a storm that has been happening for over 350 years!		* Jupiter's Great Red Spot is a storm that has been happening for over 350 years!
	\|-		\|-
	\|Saturn		\|Saturn
			\|1 Day = 10 h 33 min
			1 Year = 29.45 Earth Years
			\|Size = 763 Earths
			\|
			* Saturn's largest moon, Titan, is bigger than Mercury and has an atmosphere. It is the biggest moon in the solar system.
			* Saturn has a hexagonal cloud pattern on it's north pole, which is thought to be a standing wave pattern on the planet.
			* The rings of Saturn are twice as wide as the planet, and Saturn's many moons help to shepherd the rings into place!
	\|-		\|-
	\|Uranus		\|Uranus
			\|1 Day = 17 h 14 min
			1 Year = 84 Earth Years
			\|Size = 63 Earths
			\|
			* Uranus is the coldest planet in the solar system, with recorded temperatures as low as -371 F!
			* Uranus spins sideways like a tire, unlike most planets in the solar system.
			* Unlike the other gas giants, there is little cloud activity on Uranus, and it rarely shows any changes in it's atmosphere.
	\|-		\|-
	\|Neptune		\|Neptune
	\|-		\|1 Day = 16 h 6 min
			1 Year = 164 Earth Years
			\|Size = 58 Earths
			\|
			* Neptune is 17 times more massive than earth, but 19 times less massive than Jupiter.
			* There are three large storms on Neptune: The Great Dark Spot, The Small Dark Spot, and Scooter, a band of fast-moving clouds.
			* Neptune is so far from the sun, it takes over four hours for light from the sun to reach it!
	\|}		\|}

	~~Start by showing~~ the ~~earth and simply asking what it is~~. ~~Explain that it represents~~ the ~~scale~~ of the ~~earth and~~ using ~~that~~ scale the ~~kids will discover~~ the ~~sizes~~ of the other planets ~~as well as the composition and general information about the planets~~. ~~Explain that~~ the scale of the earth ~~is so that~~ the ~~radius~~ of the ~~earth is one centimeter (meaning that~~ the ~~actual earth prop is two centimeters in diameter).~~		This demonstration uses two separate size scales, simply because a single size scale would either make the orbits too big or the planets too small.
			* For the distances of the planets from the sun, we are using a scale where the earth is about one foot from the sun. This scale helps students to see not only how close we really are to our sun in an astronomical sense, but also shows how far away some of the other planets are. If we were to use the correct size scale with this distance scale, the earth with be about the size of a speck of dust, and the sun around the size of a basketball!
	~~It would then follow to ask how large the sun might be if that were~~ the size of the earth. ~~After taking some guesses~~, ~~set up~~ the sun ~~to show how~~ large ~~it truly~~ is ~~(over 218 cm or 7’~~ in diameter~~). Follow~~ this ~~by working outward~~ away from the sun ~~with each planet (Mercury~~, ~~then Venus~~, ~~etc). Be sure to ask the kids if they know which planet comes next (if they don’t know try to hint at what it might be) and explain the marble planet-composition models for each planet.~~		* For the size of planets, we have a scale which puts the earth at about three quarters of an inch in diameter. This is pretty small, and for one main reason: the sun. Our sun isn't a big star, but stars are extremely large astronomical bodies in the universe. With an earth this small, our sun is about ''seven feet'' in diameter! If we used the correct distance scale with this size scale, then our earth would be about 770 feet away from the sun, and Proxima Centauri would be 39,000 miles away!

	Once the planets have been distributed to the kids ask if any of them know the distance to the sun. If no one knows, tell them that the earth is 93 million miles from the sun (it would be useful to write this on a board if available or to have a poster with the number written on it) use the Million Dot Book to give a more visual representation of a million. Show the rope and explain that the distance between the earth and sun is going to be represented by one foot and ask the volunteer with earth to stand at the appropriate location. Continue in the same fashion as with the planets, working outwards from Mercury to Neptune. After all the planets have been placed at their appropriate locations, have the group come back together and ask if anyone can guess how far away the closest star is at this scale. The effect may be greater if they’re simply told to go higher and higher in number before revealing it’s distance. Be sure to reiterate that the scales are NOT the same. This is easily accomplished by saying that if the scale of the planets and distances were the same, the earth would be around 770’ away from the sun, Neptune would be more than 4 miles away and Proxima Centauri would be 39,000 miles away, more than half way around the real earth! Bear in mind the age group of the kids; younger kids will get more confused if you throw too many numbers and conversions at them and won’t be as able to grasp the large numbers used in this final comparison as well.
	~~-->~~
	==Additional Information==		==Additional Information==
	* This demonstration pairs well with the [[Planetary Compositions]] demonstration.		* This demonstration pairs well with the [[Planetary Compositions]] demonstration.
	* This demonstration is a part of the [[Astronomy Show]].		* This demonstration is a part of the [[Astronomy Show]].

imported>Stwikiadmin at 15:59, 8 June 2016

2016-06-08T15:59:38Z

@@ Line 35: / Line 35: @@
 <!--
 The purpose of this demonstration is to give a very visual representation of the relative sizes and distances to the different planets. Almost all of the students you present this to will have heard of the planets, but it might be hard for them to visualize the size of the other planets in our solar system, and the size of the earth in comparison. The table below lists the information you need when naming all the planets:
 Start by showing the earth and simply asking what it is. Explain that it represents the scale of the earth and using that scale the kids will discover the sizes of the other planets as well as the composition and general information about the planets. Explain that the scale of the earth is so that the radius of the earth is one centimeter (meaning that the actual earth prop is two centimeters in diameter).
@@ Line 40: / Line 102: @@
 It would then follow to ask how large the sun might be if that were the size of the earth. After taking some guesses, set up the sun to show how large it truly is (over 218 cm or 7’ in diameter). Follow this by working outward away from the sun with each planet (Mercury, then Venus, etc). Be sure to ask the kids if they know which planet comes next (if they don’t know try to hint at what it might be) and explain the marble planet-composition models for each planet.
-Once the planets have been distributed to the kids ask if any of them know the distance to the sun. If no one knows, tell them that the earth is 93 million miles from the sun (it would be useful to write this on a board if available or to have a poster with the number written on it) use the Million Dot Book to give a more visual representation of a million. Show the rope and explain that the distance between the earth and sun is going to be represented by one foot and ask the volunteer with earth to stand at the appropriate location. Continue in the same fashion as with the planets, working outwards from Mercury to Neptune. After all the planets have been placed at their appropriate locations, have the group come back together and ask if anyone can guess how far away the closest star is at this scale. The effect may be greater if they’re simply told to go higher and higher in number before revealing it’s distance. Be sure to reiterate that the scales are NOT the same. This is easily accomplished by saying that if the scale of the planets and distances were the same, the earth would be around 770’ away from the sun, Neptune would be more than 4 miles away and Proxima Centauri would be 39,000 miles away, more than half way around the real earth! Bear in mind the age group of the kids; younger kids will get more confused if you throw too many numbers and conversions at them and won’t be as able to grasp the large numbers used in this final comparison as well. -->
+Once the planets have been distributed to the kids ask if any of them know the distance to the sun. If no one knows, tell them that the earth is 93 million miles from the sun (it would be useful to write this on a board if available or to have a poster with the number written on it) use the Million Dot Book to give a more visual representation of a million. Show the rope and explain that the distance between the earth and sun is going to be represented by one foot and ask the volunteer with earth to stand at the appropriate location. Continue in the same fashion as with the planets, working outwards from Mercury to Neptune. After all the planets have been placed at their appropriate locations, have the group come back together and ask if anyone can guess how far away the closest star is at this scale. The effect may be greater if they’re simply told to go higher and higher in number before revealing it’s distance. Be sure to reiterate that the scales are NOT the same. This is easily accomplished by saying that if the scale of the planets and distances were the same, the earth would be around 770’ away from the sun, Neptune would be more than 4 miles away and Proxima Centauri would be 39,000 miles away, more than half way around the real earth! Bear in mind the age group of the kids; younger kids will get more confused if you throw too many numbers and conversions at them and won’t be as able to grasp the large numbers used in this final comparison as well.
 -->
 ==Additional Information==
 * This demonstration pairs well with the [[Planetary Compositions]] demonstration.
 * This demonstration is a part of the [[Astronomy Show]].

imported>Stwikiadmin at 18:52, 7 June 2016

2016-06-07T18:52:02Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:52, 7 June 2016
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	== ~~Age ==~~		{\| class="wikitable" style="color:black; background-color:#ddd; margin-left: auto; float:right"
			\| [[Astronomy]]:
	Elementary School, Middle School, High School		\| Planet Scale, Solar System Scale
			\|-
	== Format ==		\| Grade Range:
			\| [[Elementary School]], [[Middle School]], [[High School]]
	~~Stage Show,~~Hands-on		\|-
			\| Format:
			\| [[Hands-on]], [[Stage]]
			\|}

	== Materials ==		== Materials ==

	~~Mini solar system~~		* Solar System Box
	~~Million Dot Book~~		* Two Sun Boards
	~~Marble planet-composition models~~		* Cord with Paper Clip Markers

	== Safety Precautions ==		== Safety Precautions ==

	~~Science Theatre demonstrators must keep~~ the ~~safety~~ of ~~themselves and their audience in mind at all times. All Science Theatre demonstrators must have read through~~ the Safety ~~Training~~ page. The ST Safety Box with first aid kit, fire extinguisher, etc. should always be available to demonstrators. Always wear safety gloves, glasses, and a labcoat if handling chemicals; always perform potentially dangerous demonstrations at a safe distance from the audience; and always keep a very close eye on any volunteers you call from the audience. Make sure the sun doesn't fall over!		Please read the General Safety section of the [[Demonstration Safety]] page before performing this demonstration.

	== ~~Preparation~~ ==		== Demonstration ==

	~~Be sure the sun is secure and will not fall over. Do not let kids play with sun or it could fall!~~

	~~== Demonstration ==~~		;Presentation (Stage):
			# Set up one half of the sun and connect the string to it. Explain to the audience that they are about to see a scaled-down version of our solar system.
			# Ask the audience to name the planets in order as you hang them. Be sure to give some quick facts on each planet (listed in Why This Works) Pause when you get to Mars, and explain that these four planets are the rocky planets. Have your co-presenter pull out the other half of the sun and set it up about six feet away from the first half, and emphasize the size difference.
			# Continue to have the audience name the planets as you hang them until you have all the planets on the string. Have your co-presenter hold the sun in place, or it might fall over!
			# Once you have all the planets on the string, Ask the audience if they can guess how far away the nearest neighboring star, Proxima Centauri, would be on this scale. Allow a few guesses until you reveal that it would be about 50 miles away!
			;Presentation (Hands-on):
			# Set up the string of planets, and connect the string to the sun. Set the sun and the string along a wall, and have the end of the string suspended on a hook or pole.
			# Allow students to come up to the string, and walk them down the length of the string so to see how big and small the planets are compared to each other. Provide some fun facts on the planets as you do so.

	The purpose of this demonstration is to give a very visual representation of the relative sizes and distances to the different planets and to the ~~closest star Proxima Centauri~~.		==Why This Works==
			'''''COMING SOON'''''
			<!--
			The purpose of this demonstration is to give a very visual representation of the relative sizes and distances to the different planets. Almost all of the students you present this to will have heard of the planets, but it might be hard for them to visualize the size of the other planets in our solar system, and the size of the earth in comparison. The table below lists the information you need when naming all the planets:

	Start by showing the earth and simply asking what it is. Explain that it represents the scale of the earth and using that scale the kids will discover the sizes of the other planets as well as the composition and general information about the planets. Explain that the scale of the earth is so that the radius of the earth is one centimeter (meaning that the actual earth prop is two centimeters in diameter).		Start by showing the earth and simply asking what it is. Explain that it represents the scale of the earth and using that scale the kids will discover the sizes of the other planets as well as the composition and general information about the planets. Explain that the scale of the earth is so that the radius of the earth is one centimeter (meaning that the actual earth prop is two centimeters in diameter).
Line 29:		Line 40:
	It would then follow to ask how large the sun might be if that were the size of the earth. After taking some guesses, set up the sun to show how large it truly is (over 218 cm or 7’ in diameter). Follow this by working outward away from the sun with each planet (Mercury, then Venus, etc). Be sure to ask the kids if they know which planet comes next (if they don’t know try to hint at what it might be) and explain the marble planet-composition models for each planet.		It would then follow to ask how large the sun might be if that were the size of the earth. After taking some guesses, set up the sun to show how large it truly is (over 218 cm or 7’ in diameter). Follow this by working outward away from the sun with each planet (Mercury, then Venus, etc). Be sure to ask the kids if they know which planet comes next (if they don’t know try to hint at what it might be) and explain the marble planet-composition models for each planet.

	Once the planets have been distributed to the kids ask if any of them know the distance to the sun. If no one knows, tell them that the earth is 93 million miles from the sun (it would be useful to write this on a board if available or to have a poster with the number written on it) use the Million Dot Book to give a more visual representation of a million. Show the rope and explain that the distance between the earth and sun is going to be represented by one foot and ask the volunteer with earth to stand at the appropriate location. Continue in the same fashion as with the planets, working outwards from Mercury to Neptune. After all the planets have been placed at their appropriate locations, have the group come back together and ask if anyone can guess how far away the closest star is at this scale. The effect may be greater if they’re simply told to go higher and higher in number before revealing it’s distance. Be sure to reiterate that the scales are NOT the same. This is easily accomplished by saying that if the scale of the planets and distances were the same, the earth would be around 770’ away from the sun, Neptune would be more than 4 miles away and Proxima Centauri would be 39,000 miles away, more than half way around the real earth! Bear in mind the age group of the kids; younger kids will get more confused if you throw too many numbers and conversions at them and won’t be as able to grasp the large numbers used in this final comparison as well.		Once the planets have been distributed to the kids ask if any of them know the distance to the sun. If no one knows, tell them that the earth is 93 million miles from the sun (it would be useful to write this on a board if available or to have a poster with the number written on it) use the Million Dot Book to give a more visual representation of a million. Show the rope and explain that the distance between the earth and sun is going to be represented by one foot and ask the volunteer with earth to stand at the appropriate location. Continue in the same fashion as with the planets, working outwards from Mercury to Neptune. After all the planets have been placed at their appropriate locations, have the group come back together and ask if anyone can guess how far away the closest star is at this scale. The effect may be greater if they’re simply told to go higher and higher in number before revealing it’s distance. Be sure to reiterate that the scales are NOT the same. This is easily accomplished by saying that if the scale of the planets and distances were the same, the earth would be around 770’ away from the sun, Neptune would be more than 4 miles away and Proxima Centauri would be 39,000 miles away, more than half way around the real earth! Bear in mind the age group of the kids; younger kids will get more confused if you throw too many numbers and conversions at them and won’t be as able to grasp the large numbers used in this final comparison as well. -->

	~~== What to Say ==~~

	~~See 'Demonstration'~~


	~~== Why It Is ==~~

	== ~~Life Examples~~ ==		==Additional Information==
			* This demonstration pairs well with the [[Planetary Compositions]] demonstration.
			* This demonstration is a part of the [[Astronomy Show]].

imported>Stwikiadmin: Created page with "== Age == Elementary School, Middle School, High School == Format == Stage Show,Hands-on == Materials == Mini solar system Million Dot Book Marble planet-composi..."

2013-09-11T02:33:07Z

Created page with "== Age == Elementary School, Middle School, High School == Format == Stage Show,Hands-on == Materials == Mini solar system Million Dot Book Marble planet-composi..."

← Older revision	Revision as of 02:33, 11 September 2013
(No difference)

imported>Stwikiadmin: Created page with "== Age == Elementary School, Middle School, High School == Format == Stage Show,Hands-on == Materials == Mini solar system Million Dot Book Marble planet-composi..."

2013-09-11T02:33:07Z

Created page with "== Age == Elementary School, Middle School, High School == Format == Stage Show,Hands-on == Materials == Mini solar system Million Dot Book Marble planet-composi..."

New page

== Age ==

Elementary School, Middle School, High School

== Format ==

Stage Show,Hands-on

== Materials ==

Mini solar system
Million Dot Book
Marble planet-composition models

== Safety Precautions ==

Science Theatre demonstrators must keep the safety of themselves and their audience in mind at all times. All Science Theatre demonstrators must have read through the Safety Training page. The ST Safety Box with first aid kit, fire extinguisher, etc. should always be available to demonstrators. Always wear safety gloves, glasses, and a labcoat if handling chemicals; always perform potentially dangerous demonstrations at a safe distance from the audience; and always keep a very close eye on any volunteers you call from the audience. Make sure the sun doesn't fall over!

== Preparation ==

Be sure the sun is secure and will not fall over. Do not let kids play with sun or it could fall!

== Demonstration ==

The purpose of this demonstration is to give a very visual representation of the relative sizes and distances to the different planets and to the closest star Proxima Centauri.

Start by showing the earth and simply asking what it is. Explain that it represents the scale of the earth and using that scale the kids will discover the sizes of the other planets as well as the composition and general information about the planets. Explain that the scale of the earth is so that the radius of the earth is one centimeter (meaning that the actual earth prop is two centimeters in diameter).

It would then follow to ask how large the sun might be if that were the size of the earth. After taking some guesses, set up the sun to show how large it truly is (over 218 cm or 7’ in diameter). Follow this by working outward away from the sun with each planet (Mercury, then Venus, etc). Be sure to ask the kids if they know which planet comes next (if they don’t know try to hint at what it might be) and explain the marble planet-composition models for each planet.

Once the planets have been distributed to the kids ask if any of them know the distance to the sun. If no one knows, tell them that the earth is 93 million miles from the sun (it would be useful to write this on a board if available or to have a poster with the number written on it) use the Million Dot Book to give a more visual representation of a million. Show the rope and explain that the distance between the earth and sun is going to be represented by one foot and ask the volunteer with earth to stand at the appropriate location. Continue in the same fashion as with the planets, working outwards from Mercury to Neptune. After all the planets have been placed at their appropriate locations, have the group come back together and ask if anyone can guess how far away the closest star is at this scale. The effect may be greater if they’re simply told to go higher and higher in number before revealing it’s distance. Be sure to reiterate that the scales are NOT the same. This is easily accomplished by saying that if the scale of the planets and distances were the same, the earth would be around 770’ away from the sun, Neptune would be more than 4 miles away and Proxima Centauri would be 39,000 miles away, more than half way around the real earth! Bear in mind the age group of the kids; younger kids will get more confused if you throw too many numbers and conversions at them and won’t be as able to grasp the large numbers used in this final comparison as well.

== What to Say ==

See 'Demonstration'

== Why It Is ==

== Life Examples ==