Instructions Scientific notation is a tool that is used frequently in science, including astronomy, chemistry, biology, and more. In this activity, imagine that you are a student intern at NASA and are researching information about travel within our solar system. You will complete a series of tasks using what you know about scientific notation and what you discover about our solar system to calculate distances that astronauts may use for their next trip to space.

Part 1

Using technology or other resources, research the average distance that each planet is from the sun (in kilometers). Once you have found the distance, create a chart showing each planet's distance from the sun. The sun itself will not receive a label since it is your starting point. For example, Mercury is located an average of 57,909,000 km from the sun, so on the chart, Mercury would be labeled with a distance of 57,909,000. Use the example of the chart below to help you get started:
Planet
Distance from sun (in km)
Distance in scientific notation
Mercury
57,909,009
Part 2
Convert each of the distances that you have recorded into scientific notation. List these on your chart for this assignment.
Part 3
Answer the following questions using the data you have found. Show your work on all questions as indicated.
If a spacecraft was parked on Venus and needed to make a flight to Jupiter, how far would it need to travel? (Assume both planets are aligned with the sun and are on the same side of the sun.) Show your work and provide your answer in scientific notation. Mercury, Venus, and Earth are the three planets closest to the sun. Would their combined distance from the sun be greater or less than the distance from the sun to Neptune? Show your work and justify your answer.
If Earth was 10 times farther away from the sun than it is now, which planet would it be closest to? (Assume all the planets are aligned with the sun and are on the same side of the sun.) Compare Earth's new distance to that planet. How far apart would they be in standard notation? How far apart in scientific notation? Show your work.
The space shuttle travels at about 28,000 km per hour. Using that information, estimate how many hours it will take the shuttle to reach Saturn from Earth. (Assume both planets are aligned with the sun and are on the same side of the sun.) Show your work. Convert your answer into scientific notation if necessary.