NASA Glenn Videoconference: Space and the Solar System
Post-Conference Assessment (HS): Answers
  1. Describe the size of the planets in relation to each other and the Sun.
    The Sun is about 10 times larger than Jupiter, which is the largest planet. Jupiter is 10 times the size of the Earth. Therefore, the Sun is approximately 100 times the size of the Earth. The outer planets are much larger than the inner planets, and the Sun is bigger than everything in the entire solar system.

  2. Is the scale model exactly as you thought it would be? Why or why not?
    Answers will vary.
    Maybe the students knew how large the solar system is, but maybe the model made them look at the solar system in a new light. They should explain why they think the way they do.

  3. Describe the space between planets in relation to the size of the planets.

    The planets are very small compared to the distance between them. The planets take up a small amount of space in the relative extensiveness of the universe.
Videoconference Description, Videoconference Description, and Introduction
Pre-conference assessment
Pre-conference activity and worksheet

Post-conference activity
Post-conference assessment

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Web site related: Curator
Content related: Joe Kolecki (Joseph.C.Kolecki@grc.nasa.gov)