1) Mark the center of the butcher paper with the Sunšs location. This should be a circle with a diameter of 2mm.
2) Prepare a loop of string for each of the orbits in the table at the bottom of the page. Correct length is critical. If loops are too long they can be shortened with additional knots. Measure accurately!
3) Draw the orbits of each of the planets and asteroids. Place a pin at the Sun and another at the distance indicated in the chart below. Remember circular orbits will have their loops around the Sun only. Elliptical orbits require two pins. You may need to have a team member hold the pins in place while you work. Either label or color code each orbit on your paper.
4) Now its time to consider the sizes of the planets for your scaled orbital drawing.
a. The Sun is about 2mm or the size of a BB.
b. Earth and Venus are smaller than a grain of salt.
c. The Moon, Mercury, Mars and the asteroids are too small to be visible at this scale.
Questions we will discuss in
class. Prepare your answers!
5) Compare and contrast the orbits of the planets and asteroids you have represented here.
6) Would you say the Earth is a very big target for asteroid collision?
7) Often meteor showers occur when asteroids pass close enough to Earth so that our gravity can attract any lose pieces. Are any asteroids represented here that could produce meteors for Earth? Which ones? What path would these meteors likely take?
8) In mythology do you know who Icarus was?
|
Orbit |
Loop
Circumference |
# of pins |
Distance between
pins |
|
Mercury |
18 cm |
2 |
3.1 cm |
|
Venus |
27 cm |
1 |
-- |
|
Earth |
39 cm |
1 |
-- |
|
Mars |
64 cm |
2 |
5.6 cm |
|
Inner edge of Asteroid belt |
84 cm |
1 |
-- |
|
Outer edge of Asteroid belt |
122 cm |
1 |
-- |
|
Asteroid Ceres |
114 cm |
2 |
8.4 cm |
|
Asteroid 1983RD |
118 cm |
2 |
39 cm |
|
Asteroid Icarus |
85 cm |
2 |
38 cm |
Helpful Hints if you plan to do this activity: