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Lesson Planet
This Orbit Simulator interactive also includes:
Researchers think they have evidence of a new planet deep in our solar system that is the size of Neptune and orbits the sun far beyond Pluto. The orbit simulator shows the orbits of our well-known planets, as well as Pluto and the comet Borrelly. Then, scholars get to add in a new planet and change the variables of its orbit. The simulator provides questions and a way to print answers as an assessment tool.
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CCSS:
Adaptable
Concepts
Additional Tags
Instructional Ideas
- Have scholars play with the simulation at home or in study hall and complete the questions; they can print to PDF and email the assignment
- Read about the Planet X NASA is looking for at: https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/planetx
Classroom Considerations
- Requires prior knowledge of an orbit, period, and velocity
- Simulation will not allow the planets to crash into each other, so there is no need to be concerned with students attempting this
Pros
- Tutorial walks through all controls and options
- Includes Planet X for scholars to experiment with
Cons
- None