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 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 |
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.tif The Sun and major planets to scale and in order, but with no distance scale |
Selected
objects
inner planets.TIF The four inner planets and the Moon to scale. |
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.tif The orbit of the Earth around the Sun. Moon's orbit not shown, nor is Moon at true distance from Earth |
earthax.jpg Shows that the Earth's axis is inclined to the Sun, hence the seasons |
earthmoon.tif Composite of Earth and Moon on starry background. |
earthmoon1.tif Composite of Earth and Moon on starry background, with Sun |
earthmoon4.tif Composite of Earth over Moon crater |
tides.tif Artwork showing that the Moon exerts a pull on the oceans, causing the tides |
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 Shows that Earth and Mars have almost equal axial tilts |
Earthmars.tif Earth and Mars to scale |
ast1801.tif Orbits of planets out to Jupiter as known in 1801, with just one known asteroid (Ceres) marked |
ast1901.tif Same view in 1901, with several hundred known asteroids |
ast2001.tif Inner solar system including all asteroids with known orbits. Trojan and Earth-crossing asteroids shown in different colours |
Satearth.tif Saturn and Earth to scale |
AW1736 NASA artwork of Saturn seen from its satellite Mimas |
marsandmgs.tif Mars with Mars Global Surveyor |
AsteroidMine.tif Artwork by Ian Palmer showing possible future asteroid mining operation |
Composite of five asteroids that have been imaged by spacecraft, to scale. (Mathilde, Eros, Gaspra, Ida and Dactyl, labelled) |