Solar System Mechanics Concept

Demonstrations in Solar System Mechanics

Close-up of scale planet models on a clear acrylic surface: a small white marble on a hex nut, two peppercorns, a large decorative marble on a metal ring, and tiny dots barely visible on the surface

Scale Inner Solar System

Creates a 1:10 billion scale model of the solar system using everyday objects, matching the Colorado Scale Model Solar System. Students pace out planetary distances in the lecture hall to …
Desktop globe on gold stand next to an illuminated bare bulb in a wire-cage lamp fixture, on a table against a dark background
Safety

Seasons

Demonstrates that Earth's seasons result from its 23.5-degree axial tilt, not distance from the Sun. Students observe how the tilt causes varying solar angle and day length across hemispheres as …
Globe representing Earth at center of a round wooden platform, with four styrofoam balls on metal rod stands positioned at different orbital locations around it
Safety

Phases of the Moon

Students learn that lunar phases result from the Moon's changing orbital position relative to the Sun and Earth, not from Earth's shadow. A lamp (Sun) and balls held by student …
Globe representing Earth on a round wooden table, flanked by two white spheres on clamp stands representing the Moon at different positions, illuminated from one side against a dark background
Safety

Eclipses

Models the Sun-Earth-Moon geometry for solar and lunar eclipses using a lamp, globe, and spheres. Students see how alignment creates umbra and penumbra shadow zones, and why eclipses don't occur …
Stereo pair showing two stacked clear plastic containers on wooden blocks, with fiber optic light visible at the boundary between upper and lower containers

Flattened Sunset

Simulates atmospheric refraction using a sugar-water density gradient. Students observe a circular light source progressively flatten as it descends through the gradient, explaining why the Sun and Moon appear elliptical …

The Moon Illusion

Explores oculomotor micropsia/macropsia as one mechanism behind the Moon Illusion. Students discover that perceived size depends on eye focus distance, not just angular diameter, by matching disk sizes at different …
Handwritten paper placards laid out on a black background: 12 zodiac constellation names, 4 season labels, and Earth and Sun signs
Safety

Interactive Zodiac

Students form a living model of the solar system to discover why zodiac constellations are only visible in certain seasons and how Earth's axial tilt produces seasons. Directly confronts the …