Applet: Planetary Orbits

Module 4: The Planets

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Using the Applet:

This applet has been designed to help students visualize the structure of the solar system. Although the diagram is not drawn to scale, the orbital speeds are, however, relatively accurate. One can clearly see that the planets closest to the Sun orbit fastest. Other structures can be observed in the location of the asteroid belt and the irregular orbit of Pluto.

The table showing the elapsed years/orbits helps give an indication of the orbital period around the Sun, which is related to the planets' orbital speeds and distance from the Sun. The numbers represent the number of orbits each planet makes around the Sun which is equivalent to the number of years on that planet.

Students should review the Planets Data Table or the Quick Fact Data Sheets for the exact orbital times.