How to model the solar system

How do you make a solar system model?

Position the planets around the sun in the correct order. Find a cardboard box. The planets in your solar system model will hang down inside this box. You'll need to fit nine planets plus the sun into this, so make sure you have enough room. This should be at least as large as a men's shoebox, which is roughly 15" x 10" x 5½" (36 x 25 x 13 cm).

How do you scale a solar system model?

Scale solar system models by size or distance from the Sun. When building a solar system model, scale the planets either by size or distance from the Sun. Pick a base unit, like Earth-Sun distance or Mercury's diameter, then scale up the rest. This helps show just how vast space really is! Hang the planets in the box.

What is a solar system model?

A solar system model is an effective tool that teachers use to teach about our planet and its environment. The solar system is made of the sun (a star), as well as the planets Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto, and the celestial bodies that orbit those planets (like moons).

How can I create a real scale solar system?

Use your large parks to create a TRULY scale model Solar System in both size AND scale, something practically impossible in any other venue. It can be elaborate, like in the above picture from the Peoria Riverfront Museum in IL, or just print out the NASA "Planets to Scale PDF," and find some space.

Is there a scale model of the Solar System?

Our finished scale model of the Solar System, complete with asteroid belt! Credit: Mary McIntrye. As the distances between the Solar System planets are so big, it’s almost impossible to have both accurate planet sizes and distances in one scale model.

How do you make a scale model of a planet?

Use distance markers like cones, ground stakes, or popsicle sticks to mark the locations of the planets at the distances you calculated. Attach drawings or cutouts of the planets to their markers. Use beads and string, sidewalk chalk, or your own creative choice of materials to build a scale model of planet sizes or distances in the solar system.