A science educator creates a scale model of a solar system where 1 million km equals 1 cm. If Earth is 150 million km from the Sun, and Mars is 228 million km away, what is the distance between Earth and Mars in the model, in centimeters?

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 03:20:15 +0000

**Why Solar Scale Models Matter — and Why Scale Choices Matter So Much** In a digital landscape crowded with quick video explanations, a thoughtful scale model of the solar system invites deeper curiosity. When a science educator builds a tangible representation where 1 million kilometers equals exactly 1 centimeter, it transforms abstract astronomical distances into something we can visualize by hand. For learners and science enthusiasts in the US, this hands-on analogy offers clarity in an era of overwhelming cosmic data. It turns vast, invisible expanses into a tangible journey — from Mercury’s close orbit to Neptune’s distant reach — sparking wonder about how astronomy connects to everyday understanding. With rising interest in space science and educational tools, this kind of scale model resonates particularly now. People are seeking visual, digestible ways to grasp planetary spacing — not just in numbers, but in relatable terms. A model where 150 million km becomes 15 cm places Earth’s position firmly in context, while Mars at 228 million km stretches it to 22.8 cm — a visualization that supports learning. This format stands out in digital discovery feeds because it answers not just “how far?” but “what does it truly look like?” — a question people actively search for when exploring STEM topics. ---