Download Meter-Stick Solar System

Name:
TG:
Learning Target: I can describe the scale
of the universe using models and
the concept of light years
Meter-Stick Solar System
If the size of the solar system were reduced about six trillion times, Pluto on
average would be about one meter from the sun. On this scale, the Sun itself will
be about 0.2 millimeters (1/100 inch) in diameter. This is about the size on a pin.
Directions:
On 10 slips of post-it draw an arrow and write the name of a solar system body
(listed below). Place a post-it slip on the meter stick at the distance of each planet.
After determining the distance of the planets’ orbits to scale, look up the actual
distance online.
Solar System Body
Distance to Scale
(inches)
Sun
0
Mercury
3/8
Venus
3/4
Earth
1
Mars
1 1/2
Jupiter
5 1/4
Saturn
9 5/8
Uranus
19 1/4
Neptune
30 1/8
Pluto
39 1/2
Actual Distance
(miles)
Exceeds: In this model, one inch equals one astronomical unit (AU) and one lightyear is a mile. Alpha Centuri is the closest star to the sun. It is about
26,395,632,000,000 miles away. How far would it have to be placed from the end
of the ruler? (Hint: we have converted lightyears to miles before)