ACTIVITIES for Grades 6-8 - American Museum of Natural History

Investigate Sizes and Distances of Celestial Objectsamnh.org/starsSTUDENT WORKSHEET for Grades 6-8The circles on this page are scaled to accurately represent the relative size of objects in our SolarSystem. (Notice that one of circles is too large to fit on the page!) Observe the relative sizes of theplanet models and the Hayden Sphere, which represents the Sun.Label each circle with the name of the celestial object it represents (use the planet models and theHayden Sphere to guide you). Then look at the panels that list the actual sizes (diameters) of eachobject that you’ve labeled. Record the actual size of each object next to the name.Find the panel showing the Earthand the Sun. How many Earths couldfit in a hollowed-out Sun? _______________________Find the picture of theMoon on the panel tothe right of the planetpictures. Using theinformation on thepanel, draw a circleof the appropriatesize next to the circlethat you have alreadylabeled as Earth.© 2009 American Museum of Natural History. All Rights Reserved.

STUDENT WORKSHEET for Grades 6-8Investigate Sizes and Distances of Celestial Objectsamnh.org/starsThe circles on this page are scaled to accurately represent the relative size of objects in our SolarSystem. (Notice that one of circles is too large to fit on the page!) Observe the relative sizes of theplanet models and the Hayden Sphere, which represents the Sun.Label each circle with the name of the celestial object it represents (use the planet models and theHayden Sphere to guide you). Then look at the panels that list the actual sizes (diameters) of eachobject that you’ve labeled. Record the actual size of each object next to the name.ANSWER KEYJUPITER140,000 kilometersSATURN120,000 kilometersSUN(HaydenSphere)Find the panel showing the Earthand the Sun. How many Earths couldfit in a hollowed-out Sun? ___________________________Answer: More than a million EarthsURANUS51,000kilometersNEPTUNE50,000kilometersEARTH13,000 kmVENUS12,000 kmMOON3,500 kmMARS6,800 kmMERCURY4,900 kmFind the picture ofthe Moon on thepanel to the right ofthe planet pictures.Using the informationon the panel, drawa circle of theappropriate size nextto the circle that youhave already labeledas Earth.© 2009 American Museum of Natural History. All Rights Reserved.