This illustration from the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory shows the approximate sizes of the planets relative to each other. Note that the planets are not shown at appropriate distances from the Sun.
You can make an accurate model of a comet nucleus easily and inexpensively. Unfortunately it is difficult to do it neatly. Here is the recipe.
It's fun, it's a mess, and it's one of the most memorable and scientifically accurate demonstrations in astronomy!
This educator guide provides information and activities related to meteorites and their origins. Topics include sources and collection of meteorites, meteorite mineralogy and classification, famous meteorite falls, and others.
Explore astrophysics through science visualization and animation. The Astrophysics Visualization Archive is a resource for visualizations (movies) that demonstrate astronomical or astrophysical phenomena. Choose from one of these categories: Solar System, Stars, Galaxies, and Universe.
This fun Web site is part of OLogy, where kids can collect virtual trading cards and create projects with them. Here, they are introduced to astronomy. The site opens with an array of mind-boggling facts shared by the director of the museum's Hayden Planetarium. It includes a link to stargazing tips and resources in "Why Can't I See More Stars?"A link to "Gravity: The Universe's Main Attraction" gives students an overview of the invisible pulling power at work throughout the universe.
This video segment adapted from NASA uses animation to illustrate the properties of meteor showers and comets. Included is are visualizations of a comet's tail and of Earth passing through a debris stream left behind by meteoroids.
The Cassini Outreach Team has created classroom activities that teach students about the science and engineering behind the Cassini Mission to Saturn. Called "Saturn in Your Kitchen and Backyard," these activities are designed with cost in mind.
The activities contain background information, a list of required materials, the procedure required to complete the activity, and the national education standards applicable to each activity. While most activities are focused on middle school (5-8) use, they can easily be adapted to other grade levels.
This is an introduction to the study of the solar system with emphasis on the latest spacecraft results. The subject covers basic principles rather than detailed mathematical and physical models. Topics include: an overview of the solar system, planetary orbits, rings, planetary formation, meteorites, asteroids, comets, planetary surfaces and cratering, planetary interiors, planetary atmospheres, and life in the solar system.
This collection of thirteen cards, designed for the younger reader, depicts solar system objects such as planets, comets, asteroids, and the Sun. The front of each card displays a color image of a solar system object; the back provides interesting facts about the object. The Hubble Space Telescope card contains the direction for the game.
The information and activities found in StarChild can be used to engage, excite, and educate students in your classrooms. Helps elementary school students learn about the sun and moon, planets, the asteroid belt, meteoroids and comets, astronauts and space suits, space travel and space probes, the Hubble space telescope, the Columbia accident, galaxies, the Milky Way, stars, quasars, black holes, cosmology, and dark matter.
This OLogy activity tests kid's knowledge about stars, planets, comets, and more with an interactive quiz. The 10-question multiple choice test covers a wide range of topics, from "How long can a comet's tail stretch?" to "If you went looking for life in outer space, which of these three planets would be a good place to start?" After making their 10 selections, kids can check their answers with a page that shows them how they did on each question and offers explanations of the right answers.
