Distance in Space SPI 0607.6.2 Explain how the relative distance of objects from the earth affects how they appear.

From Earth, different planets and celestial bodies appear larger even though the planet/celestial body may be smaller. Also different planets and celestial bodies appear smaller even though the planet/celestial body may be larger.

For example, the sun can look the same size or smaller in the sky from Earth than the moon, even though the sun is larger than the moon--why? The moon is CLOSER to the Earth than the Sun.

What if the Moon wasn’t the Moon?

Think of a solar eclipse (label the sun, moon and Earth): X Sun Earth Moon

Think of a solar eclipse (label the sun, moon and Earth): From point x, what are we going to see? The moon looks like it is bigger than the sun! But is it? No. It is CLOSER. Distance can change the way a planet looks from Earth. X Earth Moon

This is what you would see from point x This is what you would see from point x. Discuss with your group why the moon looks like it is covering up the sun. Sun Earth

Answer this question in your notes: Which planet would look bigger to us on Earth: Jupiter or Mars? Explain your answer in complete sentences.

Size of the Universe