The General Planetary Data folder on the Planetary Taxi CD contains the following handy information for anyone who wants to really "get into" the Solar System. Most of the files are saved as Microsoft Word® Text files; most word processors should be able to open and print them, though you may have to first open the word processor, and then open the file using your word processor’s File menu.
SCALE MODEL SPREADSHEET
Ron Hipschman, at the Exploratorium in San Francisco, liked the scale model idea so much that he made a spreadsheet that does all the calculations necessary to make a scale model solar system. For instance, if you want a scale model in which the Sun is the size of a kiwi fruit (about 2" in diameter), put the number 2 in the box for the size of the Sun and the spreadsheet will calculate all the planet sizes and all the distances for you. It even includes the sizes of, and distances to, all the moons.
The only number you can change in the spreadsheet is the size of the Sun since all calculations are done relative to that.
Creating a scale model can be really fun. With a little arithmetic you can figure out how small to make the Sun in order to get a scale model that would be the same as your height. Then if the Sun was at the top of your head, you’d discover the inner planets were all high on your forehead. And guess which planet would be at your chin, or at your knees?
The spreadsheet, however, is in Microsoft® Excel 3.0 format and can only be used if you have access to Microsoft Excel software version 3.0 or later. If you don't have Microsoft Excel then you may wish to use the “Scale Model for a Football Field.”
SCALE MODEL FOR A FOOTBALL FIELD
(Calculations for a scale model the size of a football field)
When we first thought about a scale model of the solar system we were guided by Peter Saxby, at the time a Physics teacher at Berkeley High School in Berkeley CA. He told us that each year he has his students do all the calculations to create a scale model of the Solar System on a football field.
For those who want to make a scale model of the solar system and do not have access to Microsoft Excel and cannot use the Scale Model Spreadsheet, there is a Microsoft Word 3.0 file called “Scale Model for Football Field” which shows sizes and distances for a scale model that can be created on a Football field.
EXTRA PLANET DATA
Peter Saxby created a great summary about each of the planets. In it he explains some of the most interesting facts about each planet, some of the big puzzles that have stumped astronomers, and provides information about what it would take to survive there. This information is in a Microsoft Word Text document and can be printed out for your enjoyment. This would be especially interesting for teachers or parents who would like some interesting facts to throw into those planetary conversations that will occur around Planetary Taxi. It would also be interesting to kids who are curious and interested in fascinating information. (The entire document is about 16 pages long).
IMAGE INFORMATION
The images used in Planetary Taxi came with much more information than we could fit into the program. If you'd like to see some of this original information you can look at this large Microsoft Word Text document (about 34 pages). The document contains all the captions that are in the Planetary Taxi software as well as extra information where it was available.
For instance suppose in the software you wanted to know more about the Mercury image marked (2 of 6). Open the IMAGE INFORMATION document, search for Mercury (or scroll down to that section), and find image number 2 for a fuller description. Many of the images had no extra information, but when there was some, it was generally quite interesting. (The complete document is about 34 pages).
If you’re interested in other resources here’s a great tip from Paul Doherty at the Exploratorium. He mentioned that after each flyby the government puts out a book with pictures and information. Many of the pictures we used in Planetary Taxi are described in detail in these books. One of Paul’s favorites is Voyager to Jupiter, NASA Special Publication SP-439. Paul also recommends the ones on Saturn, Neptune, and Mars.
The books can be purchased inexpensively from:
US Government Printing Office
Washington DC, 20402
Also, if you want to create your own library of JPL & NASA images, there is a great educational CD-ROM available. It's called the “PDS Educational CD-ROM” and is available from:
Planetary Data System, JPL
Pasadena, CA
(818) 306-6130
In addition, educators can also get extensive information from:
