Science 9

Solar System Mobile

Background: A good way to learn is to look. Since the heavens are in constant motion, we will make a mobile, a type of art work with moving elements. e.g., a set of chimes twisting in the wind. Our mobile will have cardboard circles containing images and information about the planets in our Solar System. Websites and your notes will help you with the project.

Process:

1. Cut out a 20 cm diameter cardboard circle and two matching circles from unlined paper.

2. Choose one of the planets in our Solar System and go to the following site to get see a color image http://spacefinder.tripod.com/ of it. Nice images can also be found at the NASA site (http://pds.jpl.nasa.gov/planets/welcome.htm).

3. Create a hand-colored image of the planet on one of the circles of unlined paper.

4. On the other paper circle, organize facts about the planet under the following headings: actual size, size compared to Earth, distance from Sun, orbital period, and its structural layers. This type of data is in your notes but more can be found at: http://clague.aaps.k12.mi.us/class/studentwork/facts.htm

5. Now, glue your paper circles to opposite sides of the cardboard circle. Make sure they are oriented correctly. Make a tiny hole at the top of the circle and loop through a 15 cm length of string.

6. Now, hang your planet from the ceiling, at the proper distance from the corner designated the "Sun".