ARCturus

Giant planets or the Jovian planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, are quite alike as to their substance and size. They differ clearly from the terrestrial planets. The giant planets are reviewed here as a group. In the picture, there are the first two giant planets, Jupiter and Saturn, painted on the wall of the school by the students (picture IH, Finland).

Aim: To review the substance of the giant planets orbiting the Sun far off, compare them with the terrestrial
planets and get to know the space research the object of which they are.

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Explorations: 1) In order to make the comparison between the planets easier, it is worthwhile to collect in a table the basic information on them, e.g. diametre, distance to the Sun, revolution time, rotation time, temperatures of the surface and amount of the moons we know.

2) Explore the table and discuss with the students the values found. Ask the students to bring out their own findings from the basic information on the four planets. Try to find similarities and differences.

3) Prepare scale models of the giant planets in spite of the fact that their surface consists of gas and fluid. Since it is easy to make balls in many ways, a three-dimensional model is the most illustrative and easiest to carry out. Paint the balls using colours most suitable for each planet.

4) * Add moons to each of the planets and discuss their substance. Especially the four biggest moons of the Jupiter are well-known and give inspiration to interesting discussions. A scale model of the Galilei moons can also be prepared as one kind of a project. When Jupiter can be seen in the sky, observe the Galilei moons by using binoculars or a telescope.

5) * An extra exercise is to prepare a ring to Saturn. Discuss also the rings of other giant planets as well as the odd position of Uranus in relation to the Sun. When Saturn can be seen, its rings and moons can be observed by a telescope.

6) * Compare the circumstances on the surfaces of the planets with each other. Find out the secret of Jupiter’s Great Red Spot. Discuss the results gained from the probes sent to the planets.

 

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Methods: The statistical comparison and discussion with the students on their level of education. Preparing a scale model to illustrate mutual relations. This can be carried out either as team work or a common project in the classroom. In a team work situation each team prepares a scale model with all four planets. In a common project each group prepares one planet to a common scale model using a scale agreed.

 

Materials: Self-made paper mass is excellent material for the balls. Also prefabricated balls may be used, covered or painted using craft colours. Satellites can be fixed by a thin metal thread. Use strong wooden or metal sticks to radially fix  the rings to the planet. The rings can be made of some rigid material, e.g. cardboard. Fix the globe near the Red Spot in the same scale to illustrate the difference in sizes.

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Pondering: Pluto – why an ex-planet? Other dwarf planets? What happens to the rings of Saturn in the future?

 

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Evaluation of the results: Compare the implementation and reasonableness of the scale models made in teams.
Check the compatibility of the parts in the model prepared as a common project.

 

Hints: A short video presentation may be a good choice for illustrating how the planets orbit the Sun.

Keywords: Planet, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, planet research, probe.

 

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