Exploring the Solar System: Big Sun, Small Moon

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“Exploring the Solar System: Big Sun, Small Moon” is a hands-on activity that explores the concept of apparent size and allows visitors to experience this phenomena using familiar objects—a tennis ball and a beach ball. Participants learn that the Sun and Moon appear the same size in our sky because although the Sun is much bigger than the Moon, it is also much farther away.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
Under 5 minutes
Learning Time:
5 to 10 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
free per student
Age Range:
Ages 6 - 14
Resource Type:
Activity
Language:
English

Materials List (per student)

  • Tennis ball
  • Beach ball
  • Pump
  • Solar Eclipse poster
  • Activity and facilitator guides

Keywords

Subjects

  • Earth and Space Science
    • Astronomy
    • Earth, Moon and Sun
      • Eclipses
    • Solar System
      • The Sun
      • The Moon
  • Mathematics
    • Measurement
      • Size and Scale

Other

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Source Collection

  • NISE Network

Rights:

Funding Source:

  • NASA, NNX16AC67A