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Scale Solar System Kit

  • Bring the solar system down to Earth!
     
  • Demonstrate the relative sizes of planets and the Sun.
     
  • Demonstrate the relative separation of the planets from the Sun.
     
  • Combine the two features into a scale solar system stretching out 600 meters!
     
  • Explore math topics, such as ratios, units, scientific notation, and polar coordinates.
     
  • Included in the kit is a CD-ROM containing a spreadsheet to create a scale solar system in a size that fits your needs. Explanatory presentation charts about scale solar systems are also on the CD.

Left: Sun and Planet Cards
 

Right: Spreadsheet section

The Scale Solar System Kit is available as a kit with minor assembly required or as a completed assembly ready for use. Both configurations include color planet and Sun sheets, a scale solar system spreadsheet, and instructional charts.

  1. The basic kit includes a scale Sun and planets (Pluto is included for historical reasons), the CD-ROM, sizing spreadsheet, explanatory charts, color planet cards, and a color Sun card. Some simple assembly is required to attach the planets to the cards and then the cards to sticks. This assembly process may easily be a class project.
  2. Another option is a completely assembled set of planets and Sun on wire-flag sticks along with the CD and color Sun and planet cards.
Mounting sticks of various types are normally available locally at hardware stores, department stores, or lumber yards. Wooden surveryor stakes, sections of yardsticks, election sign wire frames, or small dowels are examples of usable sticks. If such items are unavailable, a set of wire-flag 'sticks' may be ordered to hold the Sun and planets for outdoor installation.

Scale solar systems such as this are normally mounted in a line from the Sun leading through the planets at scale distance separation. Such an installation may be done along a sidewalk, park, fence, or beach. This Scale Solar System Kit is sized on a scale of 10 billion to one so Pluto is about 600 meters (2000 feet) from the Sun.

Ready to Order?

Order from the Mr. Microgravity home page by mailing a check or money order along with an order form. A secure payment may be made with a credit card through PayPal, even without a PayPal account.


Five types of 'sticks' that could be used to display the Sun and planets for an installation outside. From the top: wood dowel, (clean) lawn chemical notice flag, wooden paint stir stick, wire flag, and another type of lawn chemical notice holder.