Distance from the Distance of Planet Standard-Scale Sun in (chosen by in the chosen PLANET Astronomical scale. class/group) Units (AU) (cm) AU x scale unit Mercury 0.4 Venus 0.7 Earth 1.0 Mars 1.5 Jupiter 5.2 Saturn 9.5 Uranus 19.5 Neptune 30.2 Pluto (Dwarf 40 Planet) Results and Conclusions: Why do you think scale models are important? Why were you instructed to multiply the distances in AU by 40 to determine how long your scale model needed to be? Compare and contrast the distances of the inner and outer planets from the Sun Extension: Draw the planets by scale according to size (diameter) on the distance scale model. Research other celestial bodies in the universe (other known stars and galaxies). Using AU and units such as a light year, include these in you distance scale model. Part 3 - Martian Sun Times Reporters Student Procedure: Your group will be assigned an investigation to research and present to class. Use the factual information obtained to prepare an article. This may consist of anyone of a variety of formats, e.g., a newspaper article, a travel brochure, a human (or Martian interest) story, a –interest fashion report, weather predictions. Each person within the group will be assigned a specific job, e.g. secretary, researcher(s), editor, organizer. Summary of Investigations:
PLANET Distance from the Sun in Astronomical Units (AU) Standard-Scale (chosen by class/group) AU x scale unit Distance of Planet in the chosen scale. (cm) Mercury 0.4 Venus 0.7 Earth 1.0 Mars 1.5 Jupiter 5.2 Saturn 9.5 Uranus 19.5 Neptune 30.2 Pluto (Dwarf Planet) 40 Results and Conclusions: Why do you think scale models are important? Why were you instructed to multiply the distances in AU by 40 to determine how long your scale model needed to be? Compare and contrast the distances of the inner and outer planets from the Sun Extension: Draw the planets by scale according to size (diameter) on the distance scale model. Research other celestial bodies in the universe (other known stars and galaxies). Using AU and units such as a light year, include these in you distance scale model. Part 3 - Martian Sun Times Reporters Student Procedure: Your group will be assigned an investigation to research and present to class. Use the factual information obtained to prepare an article. This may consist of anyone of a variety of formats, e.g., a newspaper article, a travel brochure, a human –interest (or Martian interest) story, a fashion report, weather predictions. Each person within the group will be assigned a specific job, e.g. secretary, researcher(s), editor, organizer. Summary of Investigations:
Grade_8_Essential%20Labs%202014-2015.docx