Activity 3.1.

1 Sizing Up the Universe

Introduction
The distance between objects in space is difficult to imagine. We commonly
measure distance on Earth in inches, feet, and miles. The scale of outer space is so
great that it requires a different unit of measure: the light-year. A light-year is the
distance that light travels in one year, about 6 trillion miles.
The purpose of this activity is to gain an appreciation for the enormous dimensions
of space.

Equipment

PC with Internet access

Procedure
1. Go to the Smithsonian website to begin your space dimension simulation.
http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/idealabs/universe/index.html

Smithsonian Institution
Sizing Up the Universe
2. Answer the questions and view the information in this self-directed resource.
3. Print the screen for step 7, which will simulate the orbit of Pluto.
4. Print the screen for step 12, which will simulate the relative size of the Milky Way
galaxy.

2011 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Aerospace Engineering Activity 3.1.1 Sizing Up the Universe Page 1

Conclusion
1 Explain the complications that can arise when traveling to some of these distant
planets.
Some of the complications that can arise when traveling to some of these distant
planets is the process into traveling to these planets in a short amount of time. One
complication could be the distance it will take for a normal ship to arrive to that planet
because it would take about at least many years due it being so far away. Another
complication could be the creation/technologies needed to create a ship that could allow
space travel, the reason why is due to the modern technology if a ship of explorers were
to fly to mars it would take at least 10-40 years due to being trillions of miles apart. The
third complication that could arise is the problem of when entering the planets
atmosphere, if the planet was similar to earth then once a ship enter the planets
atmosphere like in earth it will began to fall in fast speed causing it to be set on fire due
to it amazing fast speed. Lastly a major complication could be the location of the planet
since the universe expands in a great pace the normal location would be different from
the actual time it takes for a rocket to arrive at the destination.

2011 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Aerospace Engineering Activity 3.1.1 Sizing Up the Universe Page 2

 2011 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Aerospace Engineering Activity 3.1.1 Sizing Up the Universe Page 3