What this lesson teaches
Solar system distances and sizes.
Build a scale model of solar system!
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Solar system distances and sizes.
Scale is the most routinely lost concept in solar system study — textbooks always show planets close together. A physical scale model, especially one that requires walking significant distances, gives students a somatic experience of astronomical distance that corrects the persistent misconception of a compact solar system.
1. Calculate scale - Sun as 1m ball. 2. Calculate distances. 3. Place objects. 4. Walk between planets.