Space Science · The Solar System
Solar System: Planet Distances & Model Limits
Analyze average Sun–planet distance data, build a distance-only scale model, and explain what solar-system diagrams cannot show accurately.
Lesson plan
Solar System: Planet Distances & Model Limits
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Lesson overview
What students will learn
- Compare average Sun–planet orbital distances using Earth = 1 AU and evidence from a data table.
- Construct or audit a distance-only strip model, keeping its numerical scale consistent.
Key science ideas
- The Sun is the star at the center of our solar system; the planets follow different orbits around it.
- Eight planets in order outward: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune.
- Approximate average Sun distances in AU: Mercury 0.4, Venus 0.7, Earth 1, Mars 1.5, Jupiter 5.2, Saturn 9.6, Uranus 19.2, Neptune 30.1.
Lesson at a glance
- Grade 6
- 55 min
- ~10 min prep
- MS-ESS1-3
- 5 materials
What’s included
- Lesson Plan
- Investigation
- Teacher Slides
- Printable Worksheet
- Teacher Answer Key
- Interactive Activity
- Vocabulary