Solar+System

Scale of the Solar System
Any time we make a diagram of the Solar System, we introduce distortions. In fact, any model makes some things easier to understand, and at the same time distorts other things!
 * What distortions do you see in these images?
 * Although this image helps in some ways, it gives an unrealistic idea of the space between the planets. Start with a roll of paper, make a mark for the location of the sun, and make another mark 5 cm away to represent Mercury's orbit. Continue to make marks for the other planets using the same scale! How close are you?