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...

This site from NASA states Kepler's third law of motion and extends it to develop an equation for the velocity of an orbiting planet.

Kepler's second law of planetary motion is stated and explained. An animation of the orbit of a planet and an accompanying graphic assists in explaining the meaning of the law of equal areas.

From ABC News in Science, Maggie Fox's article explores a new string of "exoplanets" discovered orbiting distant stars. This research leads to numerous possibilities, one of which being the existence of planetary systems containing life...

Provides good information about Mercury and is a good starting point for information about the planet along with pictures and audio. Links to a simple fact table, puzzle, glossary, and more detailed information.

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...

Provides a good overview of Ariel, one of Uranus' moon. Includes details about its orbit, surface, and temperature. Links are also given throughout for additional information on related subjects.

Students learn how engineers navigate satellites in orbit around the Earth and on their way to other planets in the solar system. In accompanying activities, they explore how ground-based tracking and onboard measurements are performed....

Students must determine the kinetic energy of a satellite as it orbits around a planet.

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Learn about the distinctive features of the planet Venus.

A basic overview of the dwarf planet Pluto. Links to information about the other planets and objects in our solar system are included.

A basic overview of the planet Mars. Links to information about the other planets and objects in our solar system are included.

A basic introduction to artificial, or man-made, satellites. Links to information about the planets and other objects in our solar system are included.

This resource provides a nice overview of Pluto. Get information on Pluto's size, tilt, orbit and surface features. There is also a brief explanation of the "New Horizons" space probe.

Our solar system is filled with a wide assortment of celestial bodies - the Sun itself, our eight planets, dwarf planets, and asteroids - and on Earth, life itself! The inner solar system is occasionally visited by comets that loop in...

"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...

"Learning about the Solar System" is a one page, nonfiction, reading passage about the Milky Way gallaxy and what it takes to be a scientist. It is followed by constructed-response questions which require students to provide evidence...

"Learning about the Solar System" is a one page, nonfiction, reading passage about the Milky Way gallaxy and how scientists learn about it over time. It is followed by questions which require students to provide evidence from the story;...

Resource has text information to compare Neptune with Earth. Includes Neptune observational data, orbital data, magnetosphere, and atmosphere. Also contains an image of Neptune that can be enlarged.

The mathematics associated with the motion of satellites is described. Equations (for period, velocity, acceleration and force) are stated, symbols described, and sample problems solved. Includes five practice problems with solutions and...

This site provides a Java-based program called Mars24. You can download this to your computer to keep track of time on Mars.

The three laws of planetary motion as described by Kepler are stated and elaborated upon. Useful graphics and an easy-to-understand language are used to explain the nature of planetary motion. Both conceptual and mathematical. Includes a...

Did you know you can see many satellites with the naked eye? Try this activity and find out for yourself!

An outstanding page describing Kepler's three laws of planetary motion.