Solar System Artworks and Composites
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The whole solar system 
Because the distances involved are so vast, it is impossible to reproduce the solar system to scale on the page, so all artworks are compromises. Here are three different approaches to the problem. NB – This is the 'standard' solar system in which Pluto is a planet and no objects beyond Pluto are shown (eg the Kuiper Belt Objects or Trans-Neptunian Objects). The artworks are provided without labels, but labelled reference versions are available
solar system artwork
solsys5.tif
The Sun and  major planets to scale, with their distances from the Sun to a different scale.  Put another way, the planets are shown 750 times larger than they should be on the distance scale. No orbits are shown
solar system artwork
mpss1.tif
Pictorial view of solar system, as viewed obliquely. The sizes of the planets are not to scale, but are shown in perspective so that the inner planets are closest. All major planets and a comet are shown The orbits are included
solsysa.psd: ssc
solsysa.tif
The Sun and major planets to scale and in order, but with no distance scale
 
 
Selected objects
innerplanets.TIF: ssd
inner planets.TIF
The four inner planets and the Moon to scale. 
 
 
 
moons.psd: sse
moons.tif
The major moons of the solar system (over 450 km), to scale, using spacecraft images. Each family is in order outwards from its parent planet. Pluto's moon Charon is not shown as it has not been photographed
earthorbit.jpg: ssf
earthorbit.tif 
The orbit of the Earth around the Sun. Moon's orbit not shown, nor is Moon at true distance from Earth
 
earthax.jpg: ssg
earthax.jpg
Shows that the Earth's axis is inclined to the Sun, hence the seasons
 
 
earthmoon.tif: ssh
earthmoon.tif
Composite of Earth and Moon on starry background.
earthmoon1.tif: ssi
earthmoon1.tif
Composite of Earth and Moon on starry background, with Sun
earthmoon4.tif: ssj
earthmoon4.tif
Composite of Earth over Moon crater
tides.jpg: ssk
tides.tif
Artwork showing that the Moon exerts a pull on the oceans, causing the tides 
 
 
 
Cannon1.tif: ssl
Cannon1.tif
Adaptation of 'Newton's Cannon'. A cannonball fired round the Earth fast enough would not fall back but would continue to circle the Earth in 'free fall'
EMaxials1.tif: ssm
EMaxials1.tif
Shows that Earth and Mars have almost equal axial tilts
 
 
 
Earthmars.tif: ssn
Earthmars.tif
Earth and Mars to scale
 
 
 
 
ast1801.psd: sso
ast1801.tif
Orbits of planets out to Jupiter as known in 1801, with just one known asteroid (Ceres) marked
 
ast1901.psd: ssp
ast1901.tif
Same view in 1901, with several hundred known asteroids 
 
ast2001.psd: ssq
ast2001.tif
Inner solar system including all asteroids with known orbits. Trojan and Earth-crossing asteroids shown in different colours
Satearth.tif: sss
Satearth.tif
Saturn and Earth to scale
 
 
AW1736.TIF: sst
AW1736
NASA artwork of Saturn seen from its satellite Mimas
 
 
marsandmgs.jpg: ssu
marsandmgs.tif
Mars with Mars Global Surveyor
AsteroidMine.jpg: ssv
AsteroidMine.tif
Artwork by Ian Palmer showing possible future asteroid mining operation
 
5asts.jpg
5asts.tif 
Composite of five asteroids that have been imaged by spacecraft, to scale. (Mathilde, Eros, Gaspra, Ida and Dactyl, labelled)