Make a scale model of the Solar System and learn the REAL definition of "space."
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Fill in the diameter of the Sun you want your model to be scaled by. You can fill in either the red bordered inches box or the green bordered millimeters box.
Important:
Only fill in one box. If both are filled in you will get a dialog box asking you to clear one of the boxes. Use the
Clear
button to clear the entire form.
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Click on the "Calculate" button.
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Notice that the distances and sizes of the planets will automatically fill in. I've also provided some other interesting scale comparisons at the bottom of the chart.
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You can now build your scale model. You can do this with a long tape measure, or you can measure the size of your pace and walk it off counting the number of steps you take. To mark a planet's place you can use a piece of paper on a post that you stick into the ground, or you can use a flag, or even a person. Be prepared for a long walk!
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If you build your solar system on a roll of toilet paper, you can make the Sun about .4 inches (10 mm) across and still fit the entire solar system on the roll. A standard roll of toilet paper has about 450 sheets that are about 4.375 inches long, hence the roll is about 164 feet long. You should check your toilet paper for length. Some are longer.
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You can click on the names of the planets and satellites to go the the
Nine Planets
web site page about them. LOTS of info there!
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© 1997;
Ron Hipschman
,
Exploratorium
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