3. First Activity
Working in teams based on last weeks homework each group share with the class the information that they researched have on the planets. The groups have 5 minutes to collate their information . Then each group presents to the class no more than 3 minutes each and everyone fill in the data in the space booklet
Planet Description Atmosphere Surface Temp (oC) Size
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune

4. Activity 2
Kepler was a famous astronomer . When he investigated the motion of planets he made an important discovery based on hundreds of observation of the motion of planets

5. Mercury 0.241 0.39 Venus 0.615 0.72 Earth 1 Mars 1.88 1.52 Jupiter
Here is data of the solar system.
Copy this table out
Plot two graphs
A The time it takes for a year (period) on the Y axis against the distance ( on the X axis
Then calculate the period squared and also the distance cubed and plot a new graph. Two have already been done
What do you notice ?
Planet
Time for year
Average Distance (AU)
Period 2
Distance 3
Mercury
0.241
0.39
Venus
0.615
0.72
0.378
Earth 1
Mars
1.88
1.52
Jupiter
11.8
5.2
141
Saturn
29.5
9.54
Uranus 84
19.18
Neptune
165
30.06
Pluto
248
39.44

6. The Solar System… a quick quiz
What planet are we on?
Which planet(s) are between us and the sun?
Which is the smallest planet?
Which is the largest planet?
Which planets have moons?
Which planets have rings?
Where is the asteroid belt?
What is the nearest star to Earth?
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson you should…
Be able to recall and recognise the relative positions of the Earth, Sun and planets
Be able to recall the relative nature and sizes of planets, stars, comets, meteors, galaxies and black holes
Be able to state the components of the known Universe
Be able to explain the term ‘light year’

7. Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson you should…
Be able to recall and recognise the relative positions of the Earth, Sun and planets
Be able to recall the relative nature and sizes of planets, stars, comets, meteors, galaxies and black holes
Be able to state the components of the known Universe
Be able to explain the term ‘light year’
Sun
Use the data in the table above to design a scale model of our solar system to fit into the classroom
Extension – Alpha Centurai is the nearest star to us (after the Sun) at a distance of 4 light years. Where would it be on your scale?