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.

Concepts

orbiting, planetary motion, planets, the earth's orbit, velocity, periods, distance

Show More Show Less

Additional Tags

science

Show More Show Less

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

Common Core

RST.9-10.4 RST.11-12.4