Astronomy
Homework: Earth-Sun Scale Model
OBJECTIVES
Build and photograph a scale model of the Sun-Earth system.
Use the metric system.
Develop a feel for the size of Sun, Earth and the distance between them.
Practice using the scaling technique from class.
EQUIPMENT
Camera
Recruit a friend if you don’t have a camera.
The astronomy department has one camera that it can lend you.
SCALE
Let 1 mm represent 2000 mi
(equivalently 1 cm represents 20 000 mi and 1 m represents 2 000 000 mi).
DO NOT CHANGE THE SCALE.
DATA
Sun’s diameter is about 900 000 mi.
Earth’s diameter is about 8000 mi.
Distance between the two is about 100 000 000 mi.
PROCEDURE
First, calculate the approximate scaled size of Sun, Earth and distance between them. Use the
technique and example from class as guides.
Second, find some object that is about the size of your scaled Sun and some object that is about
the size of your scaled Earth.
Third, have a friend take a picture of you holding the scaled Earth object in the foreground with
the scaled Sun object in the background at the right distance. I want your face in the picture
holding Earth.
WHAT TO HAND IN
Your Earth-Sun photo, your name, your calculations of Earth and Sun sizes and distance
between Earth and Sun
Email these to me in the same email.
OR
Rev. 8/23/2016
Print your photo and hand it in with the above information. STAPLE pages together if you have
two or more pages (no paper clips or crimped corners).
GRADING
You will be graded as follows:
___ (of 4) Modeled Sun correctly (size calculated correctly and object used is right size)
___ (of 4) Modeled Earth correctly (size calculated correctly and object used is right size)
___ (of 4) Modeled Earth-Sun distance correctly (calculated correctly and shown correctly)
___ (of 4) Followed directions (Included all information in one email or one document, included
name and calculations, used given scale, stapled if needed, etc)
No late or partial assignments. Due date is on the calendar.
Rev. 8/23/2016