Make a scale model of the Solar System and
learn the REAL definition of "space."
To Do and Note:
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.
Click on the "Calculate" button.
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.
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!
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.