Re: [Phys-L] astronomy activities

["Zani, Gerald" <gerald_zani@brown.edu>]

We have two versions of the scale model of the solar system. One is an
indoor 300 inch version. The other is an outdoor 1000 yard version. This
classactivity is PIRA number 8A10.15 in the PIRA Bib.

Here is info for the outdoor 1000 yard model. It is extremely wonderfully
popular with the students because the whole class can go outside!:
https://www.noao.edu/education/peppercorn/pcmain.html

The indoor 300 inch model is a string with the following measured markings:

300 Inch scale model of the solar system

1 AU = 10 inches


   1.

   Mercury 4”
   2.

   Venus 7”
   3.

   Earth 10”
   4.

   Mars 15”
   5.

   Jupiter 52”
   6.

   Saturn 95”
   7.

   Uranus 196”

8. Neptune 300”
Sun Bowling ball, diameter 8.00 inches
Mercury pinhead, diameter 0.03 inch
Venus peppercorn, diameter 0.08 inch
Earth peppercorn
Mars pinhead
Jupiter chestnut or a pecan, diameter 0.90 inch
Saturn hazelnut or an acorn, diameter 0.70 inch
Uranus peanut or coffee bean, diameter 0.30 inch
Neptune peanut or coffee bean

Here are some published articles on the scale model of the solar system
8A10.15:


   - Michael LoPresto, "A Classroom Activity and Laboratory on Astronomical
   Scale", TPT, Vol. 55, #7, Oct. 2017, p. 442.
   - Michael C. LoPresto, Steven R. Murrell, and Brian Kirchner,
   "Assessment of a Solar System Walk", TPT, Vol. 48, #4, Apr. 2010, p. 236.
   - Cliff Swartz, "Pocket Solar System", TPT, Vol. 43, #2, Feb. 2005, p.
   120.
   - Keneth J. Adney, "Astro-Perspectives", TPT, Vol. 32, #8, Nov. 1994, p.
   453.
   - Jeffrey O. Bennett, Thomas R. Ayres, Kenneth B. Center, Matthew F.
   Carer, and Ronald S. Bass, "The Colorado Scale-Model Solar System", TPT,
   Vol. 29, #6, June 1991, p. 2371.
   - Jay M. Pasachoff, "Teaching About the Planets at (Large) Scale", TPT,
   Vol. 27, #1, Jan. 1989, p. 38.
   - Joe L. Ferguson and F. Glenn Liming, "Model of the Solar System", TPT,
   Vol. 16, #4, Apr. 1978, p. 223.
   - Lars Broman, "A Model of the Solar System Improved by Means of Pinhole
   Optics", TPT, Vol. 11, #8, Nov. 1973, p. 489.
   - David Kutliroff, "How Empty is Space in the Macrocosm?", 101 Classroom
   Demonstrations and Experiments for Teaching Physics, p .122.
   -  Janice VanCleave, "Make a Scale Model of the Planets of the Solar
   System That Shows the Planets' Distances from the Sun", Super Science
   Challenges, p. 9.

Best,
- Jerry
-- 
Gerald Zani
Demonstration Manager
Physics
Brown University
(401) 863-3964