!["Solar System Scavenger Hunt"](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/astronomy/solar-system-scavenger-hunt/scavener_title2/4389448-5-eng-US/scavener_title2_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/astronomy/solar-system-scavenger-hunt/scavener_title2/4389448-5-eng-US/scavener_title2_full_990.png 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/astronomy/solar-system-scavenger-hunt/scavener_title2/4389448-5-eng-US/scavener_title2_full_1468.png 1000w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/astronomy/solar-system-scavenger-hunt/scavener_title2/4389448-5-eng-US/scavener_title2_full_1980.png 1000w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/astronomy/solar-system-scavenger-hunt/scavener_title2/4389448-5-eng-US/scavener_title2_full_2475.png 1000w)
Create a Scale Model of the Solar System
What if you could shrink the planets so they fit on a kitchen table in front of you? The table below shows how big they would be.
Use the chart below to make a scale model of the solar system. A scale model is a smaller or larger version of something. It lets you compare the sizes of objects you can't see up close, or that are too far apart to see together.
![A graphic of round-shaped household items, such as an apple, a baseball, and a basketball aligned to represent the relative planetary sizes.](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/astronomy/solar-system-scavenger-hunt/scavenger_objects/4389452-1-eng-US/scavenger_objects_full_495.gif 298w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/astronomy/solar-system-scavenger-hunt/scavenger_objects/4389452-1-eng-US/scavenger_objects_full_990.gif 298w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/astronomy/solar-system-scavenger-hunt/scavenger_objects/4389452-1-eng-US/scavenger_objects_full_1468.gif 298w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/astronomy/solar-system-scavenger-hunt/scavenger_objects/4389452-1-eng-US/scavenger_objects_full_1980.gif 298w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/astronomy/solar-system-scavenger-hunt/scavenger_objects/4389452-1-eng-US/scavenger_objects_full_2475.gif 298w)
Start Hunting!
Look for objects around your home that fit the scaled-down sizes of the planets and the Sun. All you need is a ruler and your imagination!
Hint: Hunt all around the house: in the kitchen, the tool closet, the storage room. You can use anything from peppercorns to fruit to a basketball. Remember, everything should be round like the planets.
Arrange your model!
![Colorful graphic of a rocket ship in flight with propulsion gases being expelled from the rear of the craft.](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/astronomy/solar-system-scavenger-hunt/scavenger_rocket_off/4389460-1-eng-US/scavenger_rocket_off_full_495.gif 39w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/astronomy/solar-system-scavenger-hunt/scavenger_rocket_off/4389460-1-eng-US/scavenger_rocket_off_full_990.gif 39w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/astronomy/solar-system-scavenger-hunt/scavenger_rocket_off/4389460-1-eng-US/scavenger_rocket_off_full_1468.gif 39w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/astronomy/solar-system-scavenger-hunt/scavenger_rocket_off/4389460-1-eng-US/scavenger_rocket_off_full_1980.gif 39w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/astronomy/solar-system-scavenger-hunt/scavenger_rocket_off/4389460-1-eng-US/scavenger_rocket_off_full_2475.gif 39w)
Can you put your "planets" in order by size? How about by distance from the sun?
![Colorful graphic of a rocket ship in flight with propulsion gases being expelled from the rear of the craft.](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/astronomy/solar-system-scavenger-hunt/scavenger_rocket_off/4389460-1-eng-US/scavenger_rocket_off_full_495.gif 39w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/astronomy/solar-system-scavenger-hunt/scavenger_rocket_off/4389460-1-eng-US/scavenger_rocket_off_full_990.gif 39w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/astronomy/solar-system-scavenger-hunt/scavenger_rocket_off/4389460-1-eng-US/scavenger_rocket_off_full_1468.gif 39w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/astronomy/solar-system-scavenger-hunt/scavenger_rocket_off/4389460-1-eng-US/scavenger_rocket_off_full_1980.gif 39w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/astronomy/solar-system-scavenger-hunt/scavenger_rocket_off/4389460-1-eng-US/scavenger_rocket_off_full_2475.gif 39w)
Test your knowledge of the planets using your scale model.
![Colorful graphic of a rocket ship in flight with propulsion gases being expelled from the rear of the craft.](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/astronomy/solar-system-scavenger-hunt/scavenger_rocket_off/4389460-1-eng-US/scavenger_rocket_off_full_495.gif 39w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/astronomy/solar-system-scavenger-hunt/scavenger_rocket_off/4389460-1-eng-US/scavenger_rocket_off_full_990.gif 39w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/astronomy/solar-system-scavenger-hunt/scavenger_rocket_off/4389460-1-eng-US/scavenger_rocket_off_full_1468.gif 39w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/astronomy/solar-system-scavenger-hunt/scavenger_rocket_off/4389460-1-eng-US/scavenger_rocket_off_full_1980.gif 39w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/astronomy/solar-system-scavenger-hunt/scavenger_rocket_off/4389460-1-eng-US/scavenger_rocket_off_full_2475.gif 39w)
See if your friends can pick out "Earth" from your collection!
Image Credits:
Illustrations: Eric Hamilton