Download PLANETARY TRAVEL PROJECTS (50 pts, due April 3)

PLANETARY TRAVEL PROJECTS 50 pts for Project Grade, due May 5)
In these two weeks, we conclude our unit on astronomy. What we will do is research and prepare
a travel program for a tour through our solar system. You may work alone or in pairs.
Your tour must include three destinations in the solar system:
One must be a terrestrial planet. The terrestrial planets are the small ones close to the sun made
of rock. Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars are all terrestrial planets, although you can’t use Earth
as one of your destinations as that would be a total rip-off.
The second destination must be a gas giant (jovian planet.) As the name suggests, these are the
large planets made mostly of gas farther from the sun. The four gas giants are Jupiter, Saturn,
Uranus, and Neptune.
Your final destination must be something in the solar system that’s not a planet. You may choose
a star (like the sun), a satellite (like the moon), an asteroid, a comet, a dwarf planet (like Pluto), or
anything else you can think of (within reason.) It doesn't even have to be in the Solar System!
While your project should be entertaining, it must be informative. The following facts must be
included:
1) Distance from the Sun – You must list this in miles, kilometers, astronomical units, and
light-minutes (or light hours). If you wish to use distance from the Earth instead, that’s
OK. Just assume that the Earth is on the same side of the sun as your tour destination
when you launch.
2) Surface Temperature – How hot does your planet get at day? How cold at night? List
both if there’s a huge difference.
3) Size – How big is the planet? You may use the diameter (distance across) or
circumference (distance around.)
4) Surface features – Point out at least two points on the planet worth seeing. You can
choose a feature on one of the planet's satellites if you like.
5) Number and Names of Satellites – How many moons does the planet have (if any?) Give
the names of the bigger, more important satellites.
6) Rotation period (length of a planet's day) and Revolution period (length of a planet's
year)
7) At least three other facts – Some good ones to consider are gravitational pull (how much
would you weigh on the planet), tilt of axis, composition of the planet (surface or
atmosphere), and density.
8) Two Activities – Based on the facts about the planet, what would be good things to do
there?
You may submit your work in one of four ways – you can make a display board, you may write a
GoogleSlides or PowerPoint presentation, you may make a movie, or you can use
GameStarMechanic to make a video game. Whichever way you choose; you will be asked to
present it to the class starting May 8.
Enjoy!