astronomical scale - astrolab utkastrolab.phys.utk.edu/astronomical scalelab.pdf · a s t r o n o m...

A s t r o n o m i c a l S c a l e | 1

Department of Physics & Astronomy

Astronomy is the study of the universe, and when studying the universe, we often deal

with unbelievable sizes and unfathomable distances. To help us get a better understanding of

these sizes and distances, we can put them to scale. Scale is the ratio between the actual object

and a model of that object. Some common examples of scaled objects are maps, toy model kits,

and statues. Maps and toy model kits are usually much smaller than the object it represents,

whereas statues are normally larger than its analog.

Today, we will create a scaled model of our solar system. To do this, we must find a

ratio. We start by selecting an object [1] we would like the solar system to be scaled to. For

our convenience, we will use a yellow fitness ball as today’s representation for our sun. Next,

look for a common parameter. Let’s use the diameters of the fitness ball and the Sun [2]. The

diameter of our fitness ball is 24” (inches). The diameter of the Sun is 1,400,000𝑘𝑚 (kilometers).

Before we go on, we must determine the system of units [3] that we want to use. Doing so

greatly reduces the chance for miscalculations. In astronomy, like in all sciences, we use the

metric system, also known as the International System of Units (SI for short).

Astronomical Scale



The metric system is a base-10 system, which essentially means it is very easy to change and use

units within this system.

Our fitness ball is in the imperial system. To convert it, let’s use a unit in the metric

system that is similar in size to inches. Here, we’ll change inches to centimeters (𝑐𝑚). One inch

is exactly 2.54𝑐𝑚, and the diameter of our fitness ball is 24”, so multiply 2.54𝒄𝒎 by 24 [4]. We

conclude that the diameter of the fitness ball is about 61𝑐𝑚.

Now that the measurements are in the same system, we need to check if the units are the

same between the fitness ball and the Sun. Our fitness ball is in centimeters and the Sun is in

kilometers, so clearly, they are not the same. Let’s change that. The metric system is based off

the meter (hence the name of the system), so let’s convert the centimeters and kilometers into

meters. “centi-“ means one hundredth (0.01) and “kilo-“ means one thousand (1,000), so 1𝑐𝑚 is

one hundredth of a meter and 1𝑘𝑚 is one thousand meters. We can now change units of the

fitness ball and the Sun with this knowledge. For the fitness ball, multiply 61𝒄𝒎 by 0.01. For

the Sun, multiply 1,400,000𝒌𝒎 by 1,000 [5]. We conclude that the diameter of the ball is

0.61𝑚 and the diameter of the Sun is 1,400,000,000𝑚.



We can finally determine our ratio! To do this, always divide the size of the object you

want to scale to (the numerator) by the size of the actual object (the denominator). In our case,

divide the diameter of the fitness ball by the diameter of the Sun [6]. We conclude that this

number is about 0.0000000004.4. Note that the units canceled each other out.

This can be written in scientific notation as 4.4 X 10-10 or 4.4E-10, both of which are

clearer to read. We will use 4.4E-10 because it is easier to type this number style into our

calculators.

Now that we have figured out our model’s ratio, we can calculate the scaled sizes of the

planets and their relative distances. As an example, we’ll take Mercury, the closest planet to the

Sun. The diameter of Mercury is roughly 4,900𝑘𝑚. Note that this number’s units are in

kilometers. Our ratio was determined by using meters, however, so we must change the

diameter of the object into meters [7]. Mercury’s actual diameter in meters is 4,900,000𝑚.

With this number, multiply the actual diameter of the object by our ratio [8]. We conclude

that Mercury’s diameter in our model is about 0.0021𝑚 or 0.21𝑐𝑚, about the width of the tip of

a crayon.



The distance that Mercury is from the Sun varies because Mercury revolves around the

Sun in an elliptical pattern, but we will use the semi-major axis, the farthest distance the

planet is from the Sun. This is nearly 58,000,000𝑘𝑚 for Mercury. As we did previously, we

need to change kilometers into meters. So using 58,000,000,000𝑚 instead, multiply the semi-

major axis by our ratio [9]. We conclude that the closest planet is surprisingly far away from

our fitness ball – a distant 25 meters away!

Now that I’ve shown you how to scale down our solar system to the fitness ball standard,

determine with a partner the sizes and distances for the other seven planets. Once you are done,

come up to the desk and select the object that best represents the size for each of your planets. At

the end of the lab, we will go outside and try to visualize just how far our models are from each

other.



Example Sheet

Determine the Ratio

1. Select the fitness ball as the object that the Sun will be scaled to.

2. The diameter of the fitness ball is 24”, and the diameter of the Sun is 1,400,000𝑘𝑚.

3. Use the metric system.

4. 2.54𝑐𝑚 = 1”, so:

2.54𝑐𝑚

1∗ 24 ≈ 61𝑐𝑚

5. The fitness ball needs to be in meters, so:

61𝑐𝑚

1∗

1𝑚

100𝑐𝑚= 0.61𝑚

And the Sun needs to be in meters as well, so:

1,400,000𝑘𝑚

1∗

1,000𝑚

1𝑘𝑚= 1,400,000,000𝑚

6. To get the ratio, we divide the diameter of the fitness ball by the Sun:

0.61𝑚

1,400,000,000𝑚 ≈ 4.4E-10



Determine the Scaled Diameter

7. Our object is Mercury, so:

4,900𝑘𝑚

1∗

1,000𝑚

1𝑘𝑚= 4,900,000𝑚

8. Mercury’s actual diameter multiplied by our ratio is:

4,900,000𝑚 ∗ 4.4E-10 ≈ 0.0021𝑚

0.0021𝑚

1∗

100𝑐𝑚

1𝑚= 0.21𝑐𝑚

Determine the Scaled Distance

9. The semi-major axis of Mercury is 58,000,000𝑘𝑚, so:

58,000,000𝑘𝑚

1∗

1,000𝑚

1𝑘𝑚= 58,000,000,000𝑚

58,000,000,000𝑚 ∗ 4.4E-10 ≈ 26𝑚



Work Sheet

1. Actual Diameter of Mercury Scaled Diameter of Mercury

4,900𝑘𝑚

1∗

1,000𝑚

1𝑘𝑚= 4,900,000𝑚 : 4,900,000𝑚 ∗ 4.4E-10 = 0.0021𝑚

0.0021𝑚

1∗

100𝑐𝑚

1𝑚= 0.21𝑐𝑚

2. Actual Diameter of Venus Scaled Diameter of Venus

3. Actual Diameter of Earth Scaled Diameter of Earth

4. Actual Diameter of Mars Scaled Diameter of Mars

5. Actual Diameter of Jupiter Scaled Diameter of Jupiter

6. Actual Diameter of Saturn Scaled Diameter of Saturn

7. Actual Diameter of Uranus Scaled Diameter of Uranus

8. Actual Diameter of Neptune Scaled Diameter of Neptune



1. Actual Distance of Mercury Scaled Distance of Mercury

5,800,000𝑘𝑚

1∗

1,000𝑚

1𝑘𝑚= 5,800,000,000𝑚; 5,800,000,000𝑚 ∗ 4.4E-10 ≈ 26𝑚

2. Actual Distance of Venus Scaled Distance of Venus

3. Actual Distance of Earth Scaled Distance of Earth

4. Actual Distance of Mars Scaled Distance of Mars

5. Actual Distance of Jupiter Scaled Distance of Jupiter

6. Actual Distance of Saturn Scaled Distance of Saturn

7. Actual Distance of Uranus Scaled Distance of Uranus

8. Actual Distance of Neptune Scaled Distance of Neptune



Data Sheet

Solar System

Object

Actual Diameter

(𝑘𝑚)

Actual Diameter

(𝑚)

Scaled Diameter

(𝑐𝑚)

Portrayal of

Scaled Object

Sun

1,400,000

1,400,000,000

61

Fitness Ball

Mercury

4,900

4,900,000

0.21

Venus

12,000

Earth

13,000

Mars

6,800

Jupiter

140,000

Saturn

120,000

Uranus

51,000

Neptune

49,000



Data Sheet

Solar System

Object

Actual Distance

(𝑘𝑚)

Actual Distance

(𝑚)

Scaled Distance

(𝑚)

Sun

0

0

0

Mercury

58,000,000

58,000,000,000

26

Venus

110,000,000

Earth

150,000,000

Mars

230,000,000

Jupiter

780,000,000

Saturn

1,400,000,000

Uranus

2,900,000,000

Neptune

4,500,000,000



Homework

Scale the Sun to the Sunsphere, and use this new ratio to determine the semi-major axial

distances of the eight planets. The diameter of the Sunsphere is 74’ (feet). Follow the Example

Sheet if you need a reference. Remember that 1 foot equals 12 inches.

Solar System

Object

Actual Distance

(𝑘𝑚)

Actual Distance

(𝑚)

Scaled Distance

(𝑚)

Sun

0

0

0

Mercury

58,000,000

Venus

110,000,000

Earth

150,000,000

Mars

230,000,000

Jupiter

780,000,000

Saturn

1,400,000,000

Uranus

2,900,000,000

Neptune

4,500,000,000



Homework Work Sheet

1. Determine the Ratio

2. Actual Distance of Mercury Scaled Distance of Mercury

3. Actual Distance of Venus Scaled Distance of Venus

4. Actual Distance of Earth Scaled Distance of Earth

5. Actual Distance of Mars Scaled Distance of Mars

6. Actual Distance of Jupiter Scaled Distance of Jupiter

7. Actual Distance of Saturn Scaled Distance of Saturn

8. Actual Distance of Uranus Scaled Distance of Uranus

9. Actual Distance of Neptune Scaled Distance of Neptune

astronomical scale - astrolab utkastrolab.phys.utk.edu/astronomical scalelab.pdf · a s t r o n o m...

Documents