Understanding the Scale of the Solar System

What is the actual distance between Earth and the Moon compared to common images?

• Slightly farther than shown

• Much farther than shown

• Exactly as shown

• Much closer than shown

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Why is it difficult to create a scale model of the solar system on paper?

• It is actually easy to do

• The paper would be too small

• The planets would be microscopic

• The planets would be too large

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

What size is the Sun in the scale model created in the Black Rock Desert?

• As big as a basketball

• As big as a car

• As big as a marble

• About a meter and a half in diameter

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

How did the team mark the orbits of the planets in their model?

• Using lights

• Using flags

• Using paint

• Using stones

What was the purpose of the time-lapse video in the desert?

• To show the movement of the Sun

• To show the scale of the planets

• To document their journey

• To capture the setup process

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

What does the scale model help to demonstrate about our perspective from Earth?

• The Sun appears larger than it is

• The planets are closer than they appear

• The Earth is larger in space

• The Sun and model Sun appear the same size

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

How many people have seen the full circle of the Earth with their own eyes?

• Only astronauts

• Thousands of people

• 24 people

• About 100 people

What emotional reaction do astronauts often have when viewing Earth from space?

• Indifference

• Fear

• Tears

• Excitement