A MAPPING JOURNEY THROUGH THE SOLAR SYSTEM

Introduction    Task Process Resources Evaluation Conclusion
INTRODUCTION:  It is the year 2003, and There is a race between several groups of countries of the world to explore and set up mining colonies on the planets of the universe.  

You have been specifically chosen to chart and claim the planets.  

Space travel has become easier due to a discovery at Los Alamos, New Mexico when the U.S. government discovered how to operate a space ship that crash landed there in 1947.  Now it only takes a year to travel all of the planets if you select the shortest route through the solar system. 

Unfortunately, evil forces from  the Dark Countries has stolen the technology, and plans to beat the  U. S. A.  and our friends to claim the planets for themselves.  

The Friendly Nations  need help in traveling to, and claiming the planets for the betterment of mankind.  

You have the only spaceship capable of space travel. 

The dark countries are close behind, and will be able to travel  in one and a half  years.
TASK:

  You have to select the best route that will take you through the whole solar system in  the shortest amount of time.

 Start from the planet earth.  

You must ensure that you land on every planet.

Give a description of what you see.

Claim that planet for the Good Countries.

  

PROCESS:

At this time the instructor will hand out a folder for gathering information on your quest. 

Use the resources that accompany the quest, and/or from the resource section. 

a) Name the planets. http://zebu.uoregon.edu/~js/ast121/images/terr_

 

b) Figure out the best route for your journey.  http://liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov/academy/space/solarsystem/solarsystemjava.html

c) Decide on which time of the year is best for you to take off and land back on earth. (Use your knowledge about earth's climate)

Once you have done this, plan for your trip.  

d) You have a limited amount of space, and you must carry a beacon for each planet. (use spaceship worksheet)

e) You'll also need space suits, food, water, and any other supplies for the journey that will fit. (use spaceship worksheet) 

f) As you approach the planet, send back a description of the planet from outside its atmosphere.  http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/StarChild.html

g) When you land check the atmosphere, surface, temperature (day and night), and anything else that may be special to that planet.   http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/space/solarsystem/

h) Once you have accomplished these tasks fly your spaceship back to earth.

  
RESOURCES:

http://liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov/academy/space/solarsystem/solarsystemjava.html

http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/StarChild.html

http://www.the-solar-system.net/

http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Lab/2683/

http://zebu.uoregon.edu/~js/ast121/images/terr_worlds.gif

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/space/solarsystem/


  
EVALUATION:  Answer the following questions:

     1.  How long was your journey?

     2.  Describe each planet's special features.

     3.  Name one feature of each planet that you thought set it apart from the other planets.

     4.  Do you believe that one day we will travel to all of the planets in our solar system?

     5.  Do you feel that our government is hiding something about space travel?  What?  

  
CONCLUSION: When you have completed this exercise in mapping our solar system you will have, in essence, become knowledgeable not only in the science of the planets, but you will have gained information that will allow you to better use resources on the internet.