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    Home » Science Experiments for Kids » How big is the Solar System?

    How big is the Solar System?

    February 14, 2022 By Emma Vanstone Leave a Comment

    The Earth is located in a planetary system we call the solar system located in one of the four spiral arms of the Milky Way galaxy. Our solar system consists of 4 inner planets ( Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars ) and 4 giant planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune ). There are also several dwarf planets ( Pluto, Ceres and Eris are just a few ) around 200 moons, and millions of asteroids and comets.

    illustration of the solar system showing the Asteroid Belt and Kuiper Belt

    Light from the Sun takes about 555 days to reach the edge of the Solar System compared to 8.25 minutes to reach the Earth. It’s clear we’re talking about IMMENSE distances which can be hard to imagine.

    Astronomical units can be used to make the distances more manageable.

    Working out how far each planet is from the Sun can be tricky as the distance changes depending on where the planet in its orbit. I’ve used average distances for the purpose of this activity.

    What is an Astronomical Unit?

    An astronomical unit ( AU ) is the distance from the Earth to the Sun ( about 93 million miles )

    Image showing the distances from the Sun to planets in Astronomical Units

    Draw the Solar System

    An easy way to draw the Solar System is to scale a drawing to 1AU = 1cm and draw each planet starting from the Sun at 0cm.

    Walk the Solar System

    To walk the solar system you’ll need to convert the Astronomical Units to something walkable.

    If you multiply each distance from the Sun by 100cm you can easily walk and mark out the Solar System, although you will need a big open space.

    For example:

    Start with the Sun at 0 cm.

    Mercury 40 cm

    Venus 70 cm

    Earth 100 cm

    Mars 150 cm

    Neptune 30 metres

    Another idea is to use toilet paper and roll out a separate strip for each planet along the ground.

    Remember 1 AU is 93 MILLION MILES!!! To put this into context the diameter of the Earth is only 7926 miles!!!

    Diagram of the Solar System showing the planets in orbit around the Sun

    Grab the activity sheet below!

    Science questions - how big is the solar system?

    Crazy space facts

    Did you know 1.3 MILLION Earths would fit inside the Sun?

    1320 Earths would fit inside Jupiter ( if there was no space between them ) which is the biggest planet in the Solar System.

    Our solar system is part of a galaxy called the Milky Way!

    There is a giant black hole at the centre of the Milky Way that weighs more than a billion Suns!

    ELEVEN Earths would fit across the diameter of Jupiter.

    Image of Jupiter with 11 Earths across its centre.

    Mercury spins so slowly that a year is longer than a day!

    Mercury has a very thin atmosphere.

    Venus is the hottest planet in the solar system with air so thick it would crush human visitors in seconds.

    Olympus Mons on Mars is three times taller than Mount Everest!

    IO ( one of Jupiter’s moons ) has over 400 active volcanoes.

    Saturn has over 60 moons!

    Uranus rolls on its side rather than spinning upright like the other planets.

    It would take a plane travelling at normal speed over 570 years to get to Neptune!

    Saturn is the second biggest planet but not very dense. If you could make a bathtub big enough, it would float!

    Jupiter has 67 moons ( that we know of ).

    If you compare our sun to other stars it’s actually quite small. Hypergiant star VY Canis Majoris is 1400 times wider than the Sun!!!

    More space science

    Find out more about the wonders of space with one of my easy space themed science experiments!

    This video illustrates the size of space brilliantly!

    How big is the Solar System text

    Last Updated on October 30, 2022 by Emma Vanstone

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    Safety Notice

    Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

    These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

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