The Bridge V Learning Edition 1 ; our solar system | Page 35

elliptic orbit, its distance from the Sun will vary widely in the course of a revolution around the
Sun: sometimes it is very large, sometimes comparatively small.
Credit: Natalie Fisher
Tip: Note that the slightly varying distance of the Earth to the Sun does not cause the seasonal
changes (see activity 2.5).
The children can also build their own models: with a panel made of Styrofoam, wood or cork, a
sheet of paper as a drawing plane, two nails or pins, a cord and a pen, every child can draw and
examine different ellipses.
Related activities: 4.6
4.6 Distances and Paths
Brief Description
Create a large model of the Solar System to scale by placing proportionately sized balls at
correct distances from each other in an open field.
Keywords
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Sun
Planets
Solar System
Scale
Materials
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Plastic planets (Box)
Stability ball Sun (Box)
Tape measure
Learning Objectives