This page will create a scale model of the Solar system, based on a series of preset Sun sizes.
The sun may be selected from five different options:
"A Sun the size of a 10 inch Basketball" which will create a solar system based on a 10" sun, or
"A Sun the size of a 24 inch Beach ball" which will create a solar system based on a 24" sun, or
"A Sun the size of a 6 foot Weather Balloon" will create a solar system based on a 72" sun, or
"A Sun the size of a Hot Air Balloon 40 feet in diameter", or
"A Sun the size of the University of Maine 50 ft. Ball Model".
The results will be the "Size in Inches" of each of the planets, and the "Distance
in Feet" and miles from the sun.
Select Measurement Units, Standard (default) or Metric:
Step 2:
Select the Sun size
Step 3:
Press "Calculate", and think about the results.
Object *
Dist. (AU)
Diam. (KM)
Diam. (Mi)
Planet Size in
Planet Dist. in
Planet Dist. in
Sun
1,390,000
863,705.96
Mercury
0.3871
4,879
3,031.67
Venus
0.7233
12,103
7,520.46
Earth
1
12,756
7,926.21
Mars
1.52
6,794
4,221.60
Jupiter
5.2
142,984
88,846.14
Saturn
9.53
120,536
74,897.60
Uranus
19.18
51,118
31,763.25
Neptune
30.06
55,528
34,503.50
Pluto
39.44
2,390
1,485.08
And just to make things even smaller:
Closest Star Name
Dist (AU)
Star Dist. in MILES
Star Dist. in KMs
Alpha Centauri
278,256
As you look at the results of these calculations, you should come to realize that our Solar System is just a small part of much larger and very empty Universe.
* All planetary data derived from information obtained from the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab - the folks who should know!