Scale of the Solar System
Use scale models, diagrams, or calculations to represent the relative sizes and distances of objects in the solar system, understanding that the distances between planets are enormously larger than the planets themselves
Lesson
Set out your lesson
“A scale model uses one rule to shrink real distances. Here 1 astronomical unit, or AU, becomes 1 cm. One AU is Earth’s average Sun distance, about 150 million km. Planet sizes must shrink by the same rule if we want one true scale. Most classroom planet dots are far too large. Safety: No small loose beads and no outdoor distance walk. Stop: Stop at the paper model; no long outdoor route or tiny bead model is needed.”
Bring to the table
- Two scrap sheets overlapped to form a flat strip at least 35 cm long
- Ruler marked in millimetres
- Pencil
Extra for the adult
Worked example. I put Jupiter at 5.2 cm from zero, not 5.2 cm beyond Mars. At this scale Earth’s true dot is smaller than a pencil mark, so my visible label is not a scale-sized planet.
Optional challenge. Explain why the Neptune distance does not mark the edge of everything in our solar system.
What to notice. Keep the strip and consistent 24 cm Sun comparison. Note adult help with ruler placement.
Share and support
Family records and proof options
Keep a record of your learning
Save photos, notes, and attendance. Export a proof packet for compliance or portfolio reviews.
Learning resources
Extra practice links — they do not replace Gakuva’s teaching approach.
NASA Space Place · Practice link — not the full lesson
Solar System
Before you open · source notes
Solar System supports Scale of the Solar System. An adult previews and guides; this is a learning page, not a scored quiz.
Free educational page, no sign-in required for the tested path.
Before you openAsk the learner one fact they learned and one question they still have.
Opening this link does not save learning or assess mastery.
Source, access and review notes
Public NASA Space Place page. An anonymous GET on 2026-11-12 returned HTTP 200 with no login or payment prompt for this URL. Opening the link does not save practice or assess mastery. An adult should preview and guide the learner.
NASA Space Place. “Solar System.” External page; Gakuva does not copy, host, embed, or redistribute materials.
Unknown — link only
Check understanding
- Explain that if the Sun were the size of a beach ball, Earth would be a pea about 26 metres away
- State that the distances between planets are much greater than the sizes of the planets themselves
- Create or interpret a scale model showing both relative sizes and distances
“Has your child ever built or looked at a scale model of the solar system? Can they explain why the planets would need to be spread across a whole playing field to be the right distance apart?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Procedural
- Subject
- Science
- Domain
- Space Exploration
- Age range
- Ages 9–11