Scale Model Solar System

Building a Scale Model of the Solar System

• The solar system is scaled down so that the sun is the size of a house, with a scale factor of roughly 1:90,000,000.
• The scaled-down diameters of the planets are: Mercury - 2 inches, Venus - 5 inches, Earth - 5.5 inches, Mars - 3 inches, Jupiter - 61 inches, Saturn - 50 inches, Uranus - 20 inches, Neptune - 19.5 inches.
• The distance between the scaled planets at this model is immense, with Earth being roughly 1 mile from the sun and Neptune being about 30 miles away.
• Building a realistic scale model of the solar system is not feasible due to the vast differences in size and distance between the planets.
• To build a scaled model at 1:90,000,000, one would need objects such as a billiard ball for Mercury, a shot put for Venus, a cereal bowl for Earth, and a round kitchen table for Jupiter.
• A different scale of 1 inch equals 100,000 miles would yield different diameters for the planets, with the sun being the size of a volleyball and Mercury being the size of a grain of sea salt.
• Detailed steps are provided for building a scale model of the solar system in one's backyard, using common objects to represent the planets.
• The model's distances are not to scale, and the shapes of the objects are not perfect representations of the planets.
• The scaled model is a way to appreciate the vast differences in size within the solar system, with the house representing the sun and scaled objects representing the planets.
• The model can help in understanding the relative sizes and distances of the planets, despite not being a perfect representation.
• The scaled model provides a tangible way to comprehend the immense scale of the solar system, with everyday objects used to represent the planets.
• Building a scaled model of the solar system allows for a hands-on and visual appreciation of the vast differences in size and distance within our celestial neighborhood.