Measurement

In astronomy, measuring helps us learn the size, distance, and brightness of things in space.

Without these measurements, it would be hard to compare stars, planets, and galaxies.

Illustration with the title 'Measurement' showing various tools and symbols associated with measuring, including a ruler, protractor, balance scale, telescope, and electronic measuring device, set against a starry background with a galaxy image

Distances in Space

Distances to objects in space are very, very large. The nearest star (excluding the Sun), Alpha Centauri, is 41.23 trillion km, or 41,320,000,000,000 km!!

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Make a Sundial

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Make a Play-doh Solar System

You may know that Jupiter is the largest planet in the Solar System, but do you know how much larger than the Earth it is?

Find out by creating a scale model of each planet in our Solar System!

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Make Your Own Impact Crater

Impact craters are made when a space rock (called a meteorite or asteroid) hits a rocky planet or moon. The impact makes a round hole in the surface, called a crater.

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Explore The Moon's Surface

You have probably seen the Moon in the sky, but have you ever studied it in detail?

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Create An Expanding Universe

You have likely heard about the Universe expanding. Or that redshift can tell us about the movements of galaxies. Both are difficult ideas to imagine and understand.

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Gravity Simulator

Is gravity the same everywhere? Experiment with how the ball reacts in each of the Solar System locations by dropping or throwing the ball. How similar or different is each location to Earth?