Solar System Model

This activity consists of an orrery — a large, scaled model of the solar system — and computer stations that display a dynamic 3D model of the solar system.

Visitors navigate probes through the
physical model of the solar system to make orbital rendezvous, accessing planetary information and NASA imagery on their computer screens.

At the Solar System Model, a visitor:

• Learns basic components of the solar system, with an emphasis on Earth’s context among the planets and Sun.
• Compares important features of the nine planets and their atmospheres.
• Is introduced to principles of orbital mechanics.
• Learns how probes are used to capture images of our solar system.
• Operates a probe that travels along a fixed transect across the orrery.
• Views a 3D model of the solar system.
• Tries to make a rendezvous with one of the planets in the orrery with the probe.
• On making a rendezvous, accesses NASA imagery and information about the planet.