Comparing the Earth and the Moon

This week we're learning about the sizes of the Earth, Sun and Moon, and also about how close they are to each other.



The picture above (click for a bigger version) shows 2 things:

1. How big the Earth and Moon are compared to each other. Which is bigger? How much bigger, do you think?

2. How far the Earth and Moon are apart. I bet you thought they were closer than that! Do you know how far it is to the Moon? Did you know, If you could fly to the Moon at a constant speed of 1000 kilometers per hour, which is the speed of a fast passenger jet, it would take sixteen days to get there. Apollo astronauts reached there in about 4 days - that's a fast rocket!

How big would the Sun be on this picture? How far away do you think it would be...? Could it fit on your computer screen? Would it even be in the same room?!