Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Solar Orbit
A table listing the average radius of orbit for the nine planets about the sun; expressed in astronomical units. Data can be used to calculate the orbital speed or the orbital period.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Venus
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Learn about the distinctive features of the planet Venus.
Society for Science and the Public
Science News for Students: Planetary Paparazzo
Discusses the information from the NASA spacecraft Messenger as it orbits Mercury and transmits photographs of the planet's surface to Earth.
Enchanted Learning
Enchanted Learning: All About Space: Mercury
The planet Mercury is profiled with information about its size, mass, atmosphere, length of day, and the like. Features include interactive activities and learning exercises.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Open Course Ware: Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences: Solar System
A university-level course that looks at the structure of the solar system, the sun, the planets, and other bodies in space. Includes course readings, assignments, and study notes.
European Space Agency
European Space Agency: Esa Kids: Our Universe: Pluto
A basic overview of the dwarf planet Pluto. Links to information about the other planets and objects in our solar system are included.
Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Practice Problems: Jolly Gas Giant Problem
Students must calculate the mass of a planet based on the orbital motion of the moon going around the planet.
Society for Science and the Public
Science News for Students: Warm Lava on a Hot Planet
Describes scientific research into volcanic activity on the surface of Venus. Using information transmitted from the orbiting Magellan spacecraft, data is collected. Includes a glossary of vocabulary terms. [ November 8, 2010]
Arizona State University
Mars Global Surveyor: Kuiper Belt Objects
This site describes the extended belt of small bodies residing just outside the orbit of Pluto, the Kuiper Belt.
NASA
Nasa Star Child: Space Probes to Venus
A brief discussion of the space probes that have reached the planet Venus.
NASA
Nasa Star Child:space Probes (Level 1)
This page of NASA's excellent Starchild site deals with Space Probes. Learn about the various planetary probes by clicking on the planet of interest.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Get Me Off This Planet
The purpose of this lesson is to teach students about how a spacecraft gets from the surface of the Earth to Mars. The lesson first investigates rockets and how they are able to get us into space. Finally, the nature of an orbit is...
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)
Smile: Paper Mache Solar System
This site from the Illinois Institute of Technology provides a set of directions for the creation of a solar system model out of paper mache. Includes orbital distances and planet diameters for the nine planets. Great idea for a student...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Our Restless Planet
This unit will use demonstrations and student examples to help learners gain an understanding of rotation, revolution, and orbit. Through hands-on activities students will explore the concepts of day and night. Technology will be...
Nine Planets
The Nine Planets: Comets
A detailed description of comets, their distinct parts, and the known comets in our solar system. Links are also provided for additional information on related subjects.
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: Learning About the Solar System [Pdf]
"Learning about the Solar System" is a one page, nonfiction, reading passage about scientists and learning about our solar system and how it works. It is followed by constructed-response questions which require students to provide...
Cosmos 4 kids
Cosmos4 Kids: Solar System Details: Moons of Saturn
Explore the dozens of Saturn's moons orbiting the second largest planet of our solar system. Find out about the Cassini space mission which explored Saturn's largest moon, Titan.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Circular and Satellite Motion: Speed and Velocity
In this interactive module, describe and explain the motion of objects that either move in circles or can be approximated to be moving in circles. Kinematic concepts and motion principles will be applied to the motion of objects in...
Cornell University
Cornell University: Astronomy: Orbital Motion and Kepler's Laws
At this site from the Astronomy Department of Cornell University, Kepler's three laws of planetary motion are stated. There are brief explanations of each, along with links to additional information on related subjects.
Enchanted Learning
Enchanted Learning: Mars
Many facts about Mars are presented on this comprehensive site. Planet size, surface, length of day, orbit, atmosphere, moons, are a sampling of the many topics discussed on this site. You will also find an activity book, a quiz, a...
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Astronomy
Eight hands-on lessons module in which students explore the characteristics of planet Earth, its moons, the sun, the solar system, planets, and the difference between science fact and science fiction.
Other
Christopher Crockett: The Astronomy Word of the Week Is "Barycenter"
While astronomers and philosophers have long mused on the possibility of other solar systems, the first planets confirmed to orbit a star other than our Sun weren't found until 1992. The reason it took so long is that it's really hard!...
NASA
Nasa: Magellan Mission to Venus
This home page from NASA offers Venus images taken by Magellan and other highlights from the mission. In orbit around Venus for four years this mission provided maps of 98 percent of the surface of Venus that are more detailed than most...