solar system project research

Solar System

While astronomers have discovered thousands of other worlds orbiting distant stars, our best knowledge about planets, moons, and life comes from one place. The Solar System provides the only known example of a habitable planet, the only star we can observe close-up, and the only worlds we can visit with space probes. Solar System research is essential for understanding the origin and evolution of planets, along with the conditions necessary for life.

Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian scientists study the Solar System in many ways:

Participating in current and next-generation astronomical surveys mapping a large part of the sky. The multi-year Pan-STARRS survey has revealed many comets, asteroids, and other small Solar System bodies. Pan-STARRS Releases Largest Digital Sky Survey to the World

Studying the Sun using probes and instruments on rockets. Much of the Sun’s radiation is blocked by Earth’s atmosphere, requiring the use of stratospheric rockets such as the Hi-C mission or solar probes like the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). These missions allow researchers to observe the high-energy radiation driven by the Sun’s magnetic field. Hi-C Launches to Study Sun's Corona

Observing comets in X-ray light to understand the effect the Sun has on them. Using NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory, astronomers study the reactions of molecules on a comet’s surface and in its tails respond when bombarded by sunlight and high-energy particles from the solar wind. Comets ISON & PanSTARRS: Comets in the ‘X’-Treme

Using the Chandra X-ray Observatory to study the icy worlds of the outer Solar System. Pluto in particular reacts relatively strongly to particles from the solar wind, to the point where its atmosphere shows up in X-ray telescopes. That behavior is similar to what we see from Mars’ atmosphere, even though Pluto is much farther from the Sun. X-ray Detection Sheds New Light on Pluto

Studying the chemical composition of Earth’s Moon and other satellites. Using data from robotic space probes, researchers have discovered water on bodies throughout the Solar System, including the Moon. While many of these places were once thought to be dry, astronomers now know there is far more water around the Solar System than just on Earth. Water on the Moon?

Looking for new and possibly unexpected worlds at the edges of the Solar System. Some astronomers think there might be a large “Planet Nine” far beyond the orbit of Pluto, based on unexplained observed motion of icy worlds in the Kuiper Belt. Planet Nine: A World That Shouldn't Exist

The Mysterious Worlds We Know Best

The heart of the Solar System is the Sun, a yellow star of moderate mass somewhere in the middle of its life cycle. That star is what drives most of the physical processes in the system, from heating Earth’s atmosphere to allow life, to gently pushing asteroids around and giving comets their tails . The rest of the Solar System is its eight major planets, five dwarf planets, hundreds of moons, and a large number of comets, asteroids, and other small bodies of rock and ice.

The extent of the Solar System is defined by the solar wind — particles driven by the Sun’s magnetic field — and gravitational influence. The heliopause is the boundary created when solar wind particles collide with interstellar gas as the Solar System moves through the galaxy. The gravitational edge is much farther and is defined by the Oort Cloud, a halo of icy debris left over from the formation of the Solar System. The Oort Cloud is the origin of many comets, and reaches nearly halfway to the nearest star.

As we’ve learned through centuries of study, the various planets, moons, and other objects in the Solar System are the products both of their common origin and of their unique history. Missions to Jupiter and Saturn have revealed that some moons might have habitable oceans beneath the ice. Comets and asteroids are the remaining planetesimals from the nebula that made the Solar System, which provide us with a look at the chemistry and physical processes that produced the planets.

Researchers use all that information to understand where we came from, and how the Solar System fits in with the thousands of known exoplanet systems. We can study the worlds of our Solar System in more detail than these alien planets, but no other star system so far resembles ours. The contrast between these systems and ours helps us understand the general rules governing planet formation and evolution.

Pluto's atmosphere is barely visible as seen in the optical light image captured by NASA's New Horizons spacecraft. However, in the inset X-ray picture from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, the atmosphere shines out, revealing details about the environment of the outer Solar System.

• How do stars and planets form and evolve?
• What conditions are necessary for life?
• Solar & Heliospheric Physics
• Planetary Systems
• Theoretical Astrophysics
• Computational Astrophysics
• Radio and Geoastronomy
• Solar, Stellar, and Planetary Sciences

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Could space dust help protect the earth from climate change, mars as a base for asteroid exploration and mining, the orbital flatness of planetary systems, interstellar comets like borisov may not be all that rare, comet or asteroid: what killed the dinosaurs and where did it come from, growing interest in moon resources could cause tension, scientists find, could life exist deep underground on mars, the sun may have started its life with a binary companion, telescopes and instruments, 1.2 meter (48-inch) telescope, 1.5-meter tillinghast (60-inch) telescope, parker solar probe, the submillimeter array - maunakea, hi.

1. Learn about sizes and distances in our solar system

2. decide what kind of model you want to build, 3. choose where your model solar system will go, 4. calculate scale distances, 5. calculate scale planet sizes, 6. calculate combined scale distance and planet size, 7. create and display your model, 8. make a solar system on a string (scale distance model), 9. solar system on the sidewalk (scale distance and/or size model), 10. solar system in the yard (scale distance model).

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Make a Scale Solar System

Have you ever wondered about the sizes of planets in the solar system or the distances between them? In this project, you will create your own scale model of the solar system by learning how to calculate scale distances, the relative sizes of planets, or both. Then, use beads and string , sidewalk chalk , or your own creative choice of materials to build a model you can explore – or maybe even wear!

Materials of your choice for building your model (e.g., beads and string; chalk; distance markers, such as cones, ground stakes or popsicle sticks). See steps for more info.

Ruler with centimeter markings OR measuring tape

(Optional) Spreadsheet software (e.g., Excel or Google Sheets)

(Optional) Calculator

Distances in the solar system can be huge! The distance from the Sun to Neptune is nearly three billion miles (four billion kilometers). Because the distances between planets are so great, astronomers sometimes describe distances in terms of astronomical units (AU). One AU is equal to the average distance between the Sun and Earth, about 93 million miles (150 million kilometers). This allows scientists to describe and calculate distances more efficiently. For example, instead of saying, "Mars is 130 million miles from the Sun," scientists can say, "Mars is 1.5 AU from the Sun."

It's not just the distances between planets that are large. There are also huge differences in the size of each planet. Because of this, it can be difficult or even impossible to display both planet size and distance accurately, especially in smaller scale models like an image.

Watch this video about the size of planets and the distances between them to see how far they are from each other, how they differ in size, and how difficult it is to display both their size and distance accurately.

Watch en Español: Seleccione subtítulos en Español bajo el ícono de configuración. | Watch on YouTube

More solar system size and scale resources:

• Solar System Sizes and Distances reference guide – download PDF
• Solar System Trading Cards

Decide if you want your model to show scale planet sizes or the scale distances between planets. You can combine a planet-size model of one scale with a distance model of another scale. But if you want size and distance to be the same scale, you’ll need to spread your model across at least half a mile! See Step 6 for instructions on building a combined size-and-distance model.

Pick a place to set up your solar system model. This could be across a bedroom wall, along the floor of a hallway or large room, outside in a yard, or down a sidewalk.

Keep your choice in mind as you calculate the size of planets and distances between them in the next steps. You'll need to have enough materials, and your model will have to fit within the place you choose.

Instructions for building a model out of beads and string , sidewalk chalk , or yard markers are included below, but you can use any materials or any space you like!

If you're making a scale-distance model, keep reading for two different methods of calculating scale distances. For a scale-size model, skip to Step 5.

Calculate manually:

• Download the distance calculation chart ( DOCX ).
• Multiply the scale factor on the chart by the distance to each planet in astronomical units (AU). Note: When using the suggested 10 centimeters per 1 AU, you’ll need about 10 feet between the Sun and Neptune. If you want your model to span a longer or shorter distance, you can change the scale value accordingly.

Calculate using a spreadsheet:

• Download the Scale Distance spreadsheet ( XLSX or CSV ).
• Create a formula in your spreadsheet that will calculate the distance from the Sun to each planet (in centimeters) in your model. The formula should multiply the AU value by the number of centimeters you want each AU to represent, your scale value.
• A spreadsheet multiplication formula follows this format: =B3*10, where B3 is the cell with a planet’s AU distance and 10 is the scale value. B refers to the cell column and 3 refers to the cell row.

Try different scale values to make your scale model span a shorter or longer distance, depending on where you want to place it.

Once you've done your calculations, go to Steps 8-10 for a few different ideas for creating and displaying your model. You can also come up with your own creative display using your choice of materials. 

If you're making a scale-size model, keep reading for two different methods of calculating the scale sizes of the planets. For a scale-distance model, see Step 4 above.

• Download the size calculation chart ( DOCX ).
• Choose the size (diameter) you want Earth to be in your model (for example 1 cm).
• For each planet, multiply the size you chose for Earth by the multiplier value on the chart. The multiplier is a planet’s size compared with Earth. This will give you the scale size of each planet.
• Download the Scale Size Calculator spreadsheet ( XLSX or CSV ).
• Choose the size (diameter) you want Earth to be in your model (for example 10 cm).
• Create a formula in your spreadsheet that will calculate the diameter of (distance across) each planet in centimeters. The formula should multiply the size you chose for Earth by the multiplier value for each planet. The multiplier is a planet’s size compared with Earth.
• A spreadsheet multiplication formula follows this format: =B3*10, where B3 is the cell with a planet’s multiplier (its size compared to Earth) and 10 is the size you chose for Earth. B refers to the cell column and 3 refers to the cell row.

Try different values for Earth to make your scale planets larger or smaller depending on the materials you have available to represent the size of each planet.

Once you've done your calculations, go to Step 9 to find out how to make a sidewalk chalk scale model. You can also come up with your own creative display using your choice of materials.

If you are interested in a more accurate way to represent the solar system and have a lot of space (at least half a mile!) to work with, try making a model of the solar system that displays distance and planet size at the same scale. Otherwise, skip this step.

• Download the Scale Size and Distance Spreadsheet ( XLSX  or  CSV ) or the Solar System Sizes and Distances reference guide if calculating manually.

Scale Diameter / Scale Distance = Actual Diameter / Actual Distance | + Expand image

Scale Diameter (Actual Distance) / Actual Diameter = Scale Distance | + Expand image

In this example, the spreadsheet function divides the product of Earth’s scale diameter (B5) and actual distance from the Sun (E5) by Earth’s actual diameter (D5) using =(B5*E5)/D5 to find the scale distance from Earth to the sun. | + Expand image

Scale Planet Diameter / Scale Earth Diameter = Actual Planet Diameter / Actual Earth Diameter | + Expand image

In this example, the product of the scale diameter of Earth (B5) and the actual diameter of Mars (D6) is divided by the actual diameter of Earth (D5) using =(B5*D6)/D5 to find the scale diameter of Mars. | + Expand image

Scale Planet Distance / Scale Earth Diameter = Actual Planet Distance / Actual Earth Diameter | + Expand image

In this example, the spreadsheet function calculates the product of the scale diameter of Earth (B5) and the actual distance to Mars (E6) divided by the actual diameter of Earth (D5) using =(B5*E6)/D5. | + Expand image

• Repeat the previous steps for the remaining planets.
• Use a ruler, compass, string, protractor, or another tool to draw circles of appropriate sizes for each planet. You can color the circles to resemble the planets’ appearances.
• Using online mapping software, such as Google or Bing maps, right-click on the location that represents the Sun (e.g., your home) and click “measure distance” to identify where the scale planets should go. Depending on the calculated size of the scale model, you may want to check with neighbors and friends to see if they can host the more distant planets in your scale model.

Now it's time to create your model! There are lots of ways you can create and display your scale solar system. With your measurements calculated, choose one of the options below, or come up with your own.

Tie colored beads onto a string to make a scale model of the distances between planets in the solar system. You can wear your model or even display it on a wall.

• String (enough to span the distance to Neptune, plus an extra 30 cm)
• Beads, washers, or some other object to mark the distance to each planet on the string
• Calculated distances from Step 4
• Measure and cut a piece of string about 30 cm longer than the distance you calculated from the Sun to Neptune.
• Tie a bead representing the Sun to one end of the string using a double knot. If you don’t have beads, you can tie metal washers to the string, attach planet cutouts or trading cards, or simply use tape to mark the location of the Sun.
• Using the distances (in centimeters) that you calculated, measure the distance from the Sun on the string to each planet and tie a colored bead in place using a double knot. If you can, choose beads that are the colors of the planets and the Sun.
• Once you have attached all your beads or marked your planets on the string in some way, straighten out the string to see your scale solar system!

Use chalk to make a walkable scale model of the distances between planets and/or the sizes of planets in the solar system. Invite your family and friends to take a walk through your scale model.

• Sidewalk chalk
• Calculated distances from Step 4 or distances and sizes from Step 6
• Use sidewalk chalk to draw the Sun on the ground.
• Measure the distance you calculated to each planet and draw them at their scale distances.
• If you calculated the planet sizes compared with each other, measure those sizes as you draw them, giving your planets the correct diameter.
• You can draw your planets all along a single straight line from the Sun, but if you have enough space, consider drawing them at their correct distance in different spots in orbit around the Sun.

Use distance markers like cones or popsicle sticks in your yard or an open area to create a scale model of the distances between planets in the solar system.

• Popsicle sticks, cones, or other objects to mark distances
• Use distance markers like cones, ground stakes, or popsicle sticks to mark the locations of the planets at the distances you calculated.
• Attach drawings or cutouts of the planets to their markers.

Home » Tips for Teachers » On the Hunt for Space-themed Projects? Find 17 Brilliant Solar System Project Ideas Here!

On the Hunt for Space-themed Projects? Find 17 Brilliant Solar System Project Ideas Here!

As a teacher, it is always fun but can be challenging when introducing new topics to my students in the classroom, especially subjects as vast and intriguing as the solar system. One of my favorite topics is the solar system, a subject that naturally sparks wonder and curiosity among students. When I reach this topic in my students’ curriculum each year, I make sure that I include projects that will not only engage my students but also keep them deeply interested, turning complex concepts into memorable learning experiences.

At the beginning of my teaching career, transitioning between topics with my students was a significant hurdle. To make this process smoother, I focused on developing creative and interactive project ideas that could seamlessly bridge these transitions. Therefore, I wanted to help my readers by providing several solar system project ideas that they can use in their own classrooms.

The solar system gets an eco-friendly makeover. Who says creating models of planets has to be wasteful? The latest project for students in Mr. Lopez’s class uses only recycled materials, and the results are out of this world! #Proud2BeD26 pic.twitter.com/KxoBkZFYGO — Three Oaks (@3OaksEagles) November 17, 2023

Drawing from my experiences, I have researched and used hundreds of these projects throughout my career. This has given me a wealth of knowledge in what works best in engaging young minds, so I can assure you that you will find at least a few great ones from my list, tailored to make learning about the solar system both enjoyable and educational.

After reading this article, you will officially know:

• Several solar system project ideas →
• How to introduce the solar system to students →
• And a few interesting facts about the solar system to tell students →

You can watch this video. It contains a brief retelling of the article.

Before I tell you about the project ideas , I suggest watching Chocolate I-scream’s YouTube video. This video will tell you how to create a solar system project model for children. It is a fun project you can begin with before getting into other projects on my list.

Below, I will provide you with my list of 17 different solar system projects that I believe every teacher should do with their students at least once. Here is the list of them:

While searching for solar system projects for students, you will quickly learn that there are so many out there. I have compiled a list of my favorite ones that encourage my students to interact and enjoy learning about different parts of the solar system.

1. Hanging Mobile

Create a stunning solar system mobile, a visual treat that brings the cosmic dance of planets into your classroom. This artistic project fuses creativity with astronomical knowledge, allowing students to build a model that physically represents the planets in orbit. It’s a captivating way to visualize the solar system, encouraging engagement and a deeper understanding of our cosmic neighborhood.

Materials Needed:

• Flashcards or cardboard
• Colored pencils, markers, or paint
• String or yarn
• Cut out circles from the flashcards or cardboard to represent each planet.
• Color or paint each circle to resemble the different planets, using reference images for accuracy.
• Punch a hole at the top of each planet cutout.
• Measure and cut strings of varying lengths for each planet.
• Attach the strings to the planets and suspend them from a hanger or a frame, arranging them in order from the Sun.
• Display your hanging mobile and use it as a visual aid to discuss each planet’s characteristics and position in the solar system.

Kick off your mobile project by watching this engaging video on crafting a solar system mobile. It offers step-by-step visual guidance, perfect for inspiring creativity and understanding the layout of our solar system while getting everyone excited about their own mobile creation.

2. Solar System Cake

Whip up an appetizing and informative solar system cake, blending the art of baking with space exploration. This innovative project transforms a simple chocolate cake into a delicious representation of the solar system. Decorate with colorful candies to symbolize planets, creating a tasty and educational model that helps students visualize the vastness and beauty of space.

• Chocolate cake mix and ingredients
• M&Ms, Skittles, or other circular candies
• Food coloring
• Round cake pan
• Prepare and bake the chocolate cake according to the package instructions, using a round cake pan.
• Once cooled, apply a layer of dark icing to represent space.
• Use different colored candies to represent the planets. Place a large yellow candy or decorated cookie in the center for the Sun.
• Carefully place the planets in their respective orbits around the Sun.
• Use icing or edible markers to draw orbit rings and label each planet.
• Once complete, review each planet with the students before slicing and enjoying the cake.

Introduce the delicious project of making a solar system cake by showing this informative video. It demonstrates the fun and creative process of baking and decorating, capturing students’ interest and providing practical tips for their own cosmic confectionery masterpiece.

3. Playdough Solar System Model

Dive into a tactile and fun learning experience with a Playdough Solar System Model. This hands-on activity encourages students to shape and mold the planets, facilitating a creative exploration of the solar system. It’s an effective way to engage young minds in understanding the composition and colors of the planets, enhancing their grasp of astronomical concepts.

• Different colors of playdough
• Black construction paper
• Rolling pin (optional)
• Reference images of planets
• Roll out a large sheet of black construction paper to represent the vast, dark expanse of space.
• Utilize reference images of the solar system to accurately guide the creation of the Sun and each planet using vibrantly colored playdough.
• Carefully shape the playdough into spheres, thoughtfully varying the sizes to accurately reflect the actual sizes of the planets in our solar system.
• Thoughtfully arrange the planets on the black paper in their correct order from the Sun, maintaining an accurate representation of their positions.
• Use a rolling pin to flatten pieces of playdough that will effectively represent the orbits of planets around the Sun.
• Engage in an educational discussion about each planet’s unique features and characteristics as you meticulously create and place them in the model.

Start your Playdough model activity with this instructional video. It provides a visual and practical approach to modeling the solar system with playdough, enhancing students’ understanding of planetary sizes, colors, and positions in an engaging and tactile way.

4. Snow Globe Solar System

When the holidays are approaching, making a snow globe solar system is an excellent idea. The items you will need to do this are a mason jar, water, fishing wire, glue, glitter, paint, and clay. Begin making the planets out of the clay, but make sure you are making them small enough to fit inside the jar. Let the clay harden before painting each the color of the planets. Use the fishing wire to thread through the holes of the planets. Glue the other end of the wire to the bottom of the inside of the jar, so that your planets are hanging inside. Pour some water into the jar and add glitter. Then flip your jar upside down and shake it to watch the magic happen.

Create an enchanting snow globe solar system, a unique and artistic way to visualize the cosmos. This project, ideal for holidays or as a classroom display, combines crafting with learning about astronomy. Students will enjoy fashioning planets from clay and watching their miniature solar system come alive within a magical, glitter-filled snow globe.

• Mason jar with a tight lid
• Fishing wire
• Small brush
• Sculpt the planets from clay, ensuring they’re small enough to fit inside the mason jar.
• Allow the clay to harden and then paint each planet, mimicking their real colors.
• Once dry, use a needle to make a small hole in each planet.
• Cut pieces of fishing wire and thread them through each planet, securing them with glue.
• Attach the other ends of the wires to the inside of the jar lid, so planets appear to float.
• Fill the jar with water, and add a pinch of glitter for the ‘starry’ effect.
• Seal the jar and flip it to create a mesmerizing snow globe solar system. Shake gently to see the glitter swirl around the planets.

Begin your snow globe project with this enchanting video. It demonstrates how to encapsulate the beauty of the solar system in a snow globe, offering creative ideas and encouraging students to visualize and represent the cosmic dance in their own unique way.

5. Felt Model

Create a sensory-rich felt model of the solar system, ideal for engaging young learners in a tactile learning experience. This project encourages the exploration of planetary characteristics through touch and sight, using different colored felts to represent each planet. It’s a wonderful way to combine craft and education, fostering a deeper understanding of our solar system in a fun and interactive way.

• Various colors of felt
• Black felt sheet
• Glue or Velcro (optional)
• Carefully cut out circles from various colored felts to accurately represent each planet in our solar system.
• Utilize a large piece of black felt as a backdrop, effectively symbolizing the vast, dark expanse of space.
• Engagingly discuss each planet’s unique attributes as you place them on the black felt, using glue or Velcro for secure attachment.
• Actively encourage students to touch and rearrange the planets, thereby enhancing their sensory learning experience and interaction.
• Employ this tactile model as a dynamic visual aid to explain planetary positions and distinct characteristics in the solar system.

Play this detailed video to guide students through creating a solar system felt model. It offers a step-by-step visual tutorial, ensuring students grasp the concept and can confidently replicate it with their own materials, fostering hands-on learning and creativity.

6. Pom-Pom Solar System

Craft a colorful and simple pom-pom solar system, perfect for visual learners. This engaging project uses multicolored pom-poms to represent the planets laid out on a black cardboard background. Children will enjoy placing the pom-poms to form the solar system, providing a creative and hands-on approach to understanding the arrangement and colors of the planets.

• Multicolored pom-poms
• Black cardboard or construction paper
• White chalk (optional)
• Carefully spread out the black cardboard or construction paper to visually represent the vastness of outer space.
• Strategically place pom-poms on the paper, thoughtfully assigning different colors to represent the diverse planets in our solar system.
• Optionally, utilize white chalk to meticulously draw orbits around the sun, creatively represented by a larger, distinctively colored pom-pom.
• Engage students by explaining each planet’s unique features and precise position in the solar system as you place each pom-pom.
• Actively encourage students to recreate the solar system model themselves, thereby enhancing their understanding and comprehension of the solar system’s complex structure.

This lively video on creating a pom-pom solar system is a great way to start the project. It shows the fun and colorful process, sparking creativity and offering a unique approach to visualizing the planets in our solar system.

7. Chalk Solar System

Bring astronomy outdoors with a vibrant chalk solar system. This activity transforms a concrete space into a large-scale model of our solar system, using colorful sidewalk chalk. It’s an exciting way for students to learn about the planets, their orbits, and sizes while enjoying the creative process of drawing and illustrating the solar system.

• Colorful sidewalk chalk
• A concrete or blacktop area
• Gather the class and lead them outside to a spacious, suitable drawing area for this creative activity.
• Utilize the colorful chalk to meticulously draw a large-scale, detailed model of the solar system, carefully including each planet and its respective orbits.
• As you artistically render each planet, take the opportunity to explain, focusing on discussing its unique characteristics and precise position in the solar system.
• Once the main model is complete, warmly invite students to draw their own versions of the solar system, using your expansive chalk model as a visual reference.
• Foster an interactive and engaging environment by encouraging discussion and feedback about each student’s individual solar system creation to reinforce learning and understanding.

This video showcases how to draw a solar system using chalk, providing an artistic and interactive way to learn about the solar system. It’s perfect for visually guiding students through the process, encouraging them to replicate and personalize their own chalk solar systems.

8. Fruity Planets

Engage students with a delicious, edible representation of the solar system using various fruits. This creative project helps children visualize the sizes and colors of planets, fostering an understanding of our solar system in a fun and tasty way. It’s a unique approach that combines nutritional education with astronomy, appealing to both the senses and the mind.

• A variety of fruits (e.g., green apple, orange, honeydew melon)
• Cutting board and knife
• Plates or trays
• Begin by selecting a variety of fruits, each specifically chosen to represent a different planet, focusing on their unique color and size for accurate representation.
• Engage the students by vividly discussing the distinctive characteristics of each planet, simultaneously presenting the corresponding fruit to visually enhance the learning experience.
• Carefully cut the chosen fruits into slices or manageable segments, ensuring they are easy to handle and share among the students.
• Creatively arrange the fruit slices in sequential order on a large tray or table, meticulously forming an edible, fruity version of the solar system.
• Conclude the activity by inviting students to taste each fruit, adding an enjoyable, sensory dimension to their learning experience, further reinforcing their understanding of the solar system.

Introduce the concept of a scale solar system using fruit with this insightful video. It’s an excellent resource to visually demonstrate how everyday items can represent celestial bodies, making the vastness of space more comprehensible and relatable.

9. Solar System Poster

Develop a visually stunning solar system poster, combining art with astronomical education. This project involves painting a large black paper or poster board to represent space, with each planet depicted in vibrant colors. It’s an excellent way to help students recognize and remember planetary characteristics, promoting artistic expression and scientific learning.

• Large black paper or poster board
• Paints (various colors)
• White pens or markers for labeling
• Start by unfolding the large black paper, establishing it as the expansive backdrop to represent the vastness of outer space in your classroom.
• Skillfully paint each planet on the poster, thoughtfully varying their sizes and using a range of colors to accurately match their real-life counterparts in our solar system.
• Clearly label each planet using a white pen or marker, ensuring the names stand out distinctly against the dark background for easy identification.
• Proudly display the completed solar system poster in a prominent area of the classroom, using it as a visual aid to facilitate a comprehensive discussion about each planet.
• Provide each student with smaller pieces of black paper, encouraging them to unleash their creativity by designing and creating their own personal solar system posters.

Before starting your poster project, watch this video on solar system drawing. It provides artistic inspiration and guides students in creating a visually appealing and scientifically accurate solar system, perfect for turning into educational and decorative posters.

10. Shadow Box

Construct a three-dimensional solar system in a shadow box, offering a detailed and miniature view of the cosmos. This artistic and scientific project involves painting and arranging Styrofoam balls as planets within a box. It’s an engaging way to bring the solar system to life in the classroom, fostering a deeper appreciation of astronomy.

• Black paint
• Styrofoam balls of various sizes
• Glow-in-the-dark stars
• Fishing line
• Needle and thread
• Begin by meticulously painting the entire inside of the shoebox black, artistically transforming it into a miniature representation of the vast, dark expanse of outer space.
• Carefully paint each of the Styrofoam balls with vibrant, accurate colors and patterns to creatively resemble the diverse planets of our solar system in miniature form.
• Delicately suspend the painted planets inside the box using a transparent fishing line, ingeniously attaching them to the box’s lid to create a floating, orbit-like effect.
• For an added celestial touch, strategically place small glow-in-the-dark stars throughout the interior of the box, enhancing the overall space-like atmosphere with a sparkling effect.
• Use this intricately crafted shadow box as an interactive educational tool in the classroom, engaging students in lively discussions about the complexities and wonders of our solar system.

Show this video to illustrate the steps in creating a solar system shadow box. It’s a great visual guide that combines art and science, helping students understand spatial relationships within the solar system while tapping into their creative skills.

11. Glow in the Dark Solar System

Create an enchanting glow-in-the-dark solar system, adding a magical touch to astronomy lessons. This project uses special paint to illuminate the planets in darkness, offering a visually stunning representation of the solar system. It’s a fun and educational activity that highlights the beauty of the cosmos in a unique and interactive way.

• Paper (preferably black)
• Glow-in-the-dark paint
• Paintbrushes
• Dark room for display
• Begin by drawing the planets on your paper, using regular, vibrant paint as the base layer to accurately depict each planet’s unique colors and features.
• After the base layer dries, skillfully apply a layer of special glow-in-the-dark paint over each planet, carefully following their outlines to enhance their celestial appearance.
• Patiently allow all layers of paint to dry completely, ensuring the glow-in-the-dark effect is perfectly set and ready for the final reveal.
• Once the paint has thoroughly dried, dim the lights or turn them off completely, and gather around to observe and discuss the mesmerizing glowing solar system, focusing on each planet’s characteristics.
• Encourage each student to express their creativity by creating their own personalized glow-in-the-dark solar systems, using the learned techniques and their understanding of the planets.

Begin your glow-in-the-dark project with this video, showcasing how to use glow sticks for a stunning solar system model. It’s a visually captivating method, perfect for demonstrating celestial concepts in a fun and luminous way.

12. Edible Solar System

Bake an edible solar system with cookies representing the various planets, blending culinary skills with space exploration. This tasty project allows students to decorate cookies to resemble different planets, and then arrange them in order. It’s a delightful and educational activity, offering a sweet and memorable learning experience about the solar system.

• Cookie dough
• Icing in various colors
• Baking sheets
• Begin by carefully preparing and baking a batch of cookies, ensuring they come in a variety of sizes to accurately represent the different planets in the solar system.
• Once the cookies have cooled down, skillfully use brightly colored icing to meticulously decorate each cookie, ensuring they resemble the distinct appearance of each planet in our solar system.
• Thoughtfully arrange the decorated cookies in a linear order, mirroring the solar system’s layout from the Sun outwards, to visually demonstrate the planets’ positions.
• Engage the students in a lively discussion about the unique features and interesting facts of each planet, using the cookies as visual aids to enhance their understanding.
• Finally, invite everyone to partake in eating the solar system, turning this delicious activity into a memorable, tactile reinforcement of the day’s astronomical learning experience.

This delicious video tutorial on making solar system cookies is a great way to integrate baking with learning. Students can see how to decorate cookies to represent different planets, combining culinary skills with space education.

13. Solar System Bottle Caps

Create an eco-friendly solar system model using painted bottle caps. This project encourages recycling and creativity, as students paint each cap to represent a different planet. Arranged on black paper, the caps form a simple yet effective solar system, providing a hands-on approach to learning about the planets and their characteristics.

• Bottlecaps of various sizes
• Paint (various colors)
• Black paper or cardboard
• Begin by diligently collecting a variety of bottle caps, ensuring they are thoroughly cleaned and free from any residues or labels.
• Carefully paint each individual bottle cap using a selection of colors, with each cap uniquely representing a different planet in our solar system.
• Thoughtfully arrange the painted bottle caps on a sheet of black paper, meticulously positioning them to accurately mimic the layout of the solar system.
• Utilize this innovative and tactile model as an engaging educational tool to discuss and explain the distinctive characteristics and intriguing features of each planet.

Introduce the bottle cap solar system project with this creative video. It demonstrates how to upcycle bottle caps into a unique solar system model, encouraging eco-friendly practices and creativity in visualizing the planetary arrangement. This resourceful project not only enriches the students’ understanding of the solar system but also instills values of recycling and innovation, fostering a sense of environmental responsibility and artistic expression.

14. Popsicle Sticks Solar System

Craft a unique solar system model using popsicle sticks and colored paper. This hands-on project allows students to cut out planet shapes and attach them to sticks, forming a visually appealing solar system. It’s a great way to engage students in creative learning, fostering an understanding of the solar system’s structure. This activity not only enhances their knowledge about the solar system but also develops their fine motor skills and creativity, making learning about astronomy both fun and educational.

• Popsicle sticks
• Colored paper
• Cut out accurately sized planet shapes from various colored paper.
• Carefully glue each cut-out planet to an individual popsicle stick.
• Strategically connect the sticks in a circular pattern, centering around a larger, bright ‘Sun’ representation.
• As you assemble the model, engage in a detailed discussion about each planet’s unique attributes and position.

This video is an excellent start for creating a solar system with popsicle sticks. It offers practical guidance and encourages students to use simple materials to create a comprehensive model of our solar system. Watch the video to gain insights into the process and stimulate students’ creativity, helping them transform everyday popsicle sticks into an educational and visually appealing representation of the solar system.

15. Balloon Solar System

Transform your classroom into a visually striking representation of the solar system with colorful balloons. Inflate balloons of various sizes and colors to symbolize different planets, then hang them in order, creating a vibrant and engaging display. This interactive project fosters a deep understanding and appreciation of the solar system’s scale and diversity among students, enhancing their astronomical knowledge.

• A collection of balloons in different colors and sizes
• String for suspending the balloons
• Tape or hooks to hang the balloons
• A pump for inflating the balloons (optional)
• Start by inflating balloons to sizes that correspond to the relative sizes of the planets. For instance, a larger balloon for Jupiter and a smaller one for Mars.
• Arrange the balloons in the order of the planets from the sun. Use string to suspend them from the ceiling or attach them to the wall.
• Employ tape or hooks to securely hang each balloon in its designated position.
• Enhance the learning experience by labeling each balloon with the name of the planet it represents.
• Use this balloon solar system as a dynamic educational tool to discuss each planet’s unique features, position, and role in the solar system.
• Encourage students to interact with the display, fostering a more engaging and memorable learning experience.

Kickstart your balloon solar system project with this fun video, showcasing a step-by-step guide to assembling a vivid, balloon-based model of the solar system. This resource is ideal for visual and tactile learners, offering an interactive and captivating method to explore the wonders of space in a classroom setting.

16. Solar System Flashcards

Engage students in a fun and educational journey through the solar system with custom-made flashcards. This activity not only bolsters their understanding of planetary features but also enhances memory and recognition skills.

• Cardstock or heavy paper
• Colored markers or paints
• Images of the planets
• Laminating sheets or contact paper (optional)
• Start by cutting the cardstock into equal-sized rectangles, large enough to write on and illustrate.
• On one side of each card, write the name of a planet or celestial body. Include the Sun and perhaps a few interesting moons or asteroids.
• Use the colored markers or paints to draw each celestial body on the opposite side of the card. Alternatively, glue printed images for a more realistic look.
• Discuss key facts about each planet as you work, such as its size, color, position in the solar system, and any unique features.
• Optionally, laminate each card for durability. This makes them reusable and protects them from wear and tear.
• Mix up the cards and test students’ knowledge by having them match the name with the correct image, or quiz them on facts related to each celestial body.

Before diving into the flashcard-making activity, show this instructional video to the class. It’s a brilliant resource for visualizing the process, stimulating creativity, and aligning everyone’s approach. Watching the video also enhances understanding of effective flashcard design, encouraging students to create more impactful learning tools.

17. Phases Of The Moon

Discover the phases of the moon in a deliciously fun way using Oreos! This interactive experiment is a tasty method to teach students about the lunar cycle, engaging their senses and imagination.

• Oreo cookies (enough for each moon phase per student)
• White paper plates
• Plastic knives
• Provide each student with a set of Oreos and a plastic knife.
• Place a paper plate in front of each student to arrange their Oreos.
• Begin by explaining each phase of the moon, starting with the New Moon and progressing to the Full Moon.
• For each phase, have students carefully twist their Oreos apart and use the knife to scrape the cream filling to match the shape of that lunar phase.
• As they create each phase, place the Oreos in order on the plate to represent the lunar cycle.
• Discuss how the moon’s appearance changes from Earth due to its position relative to the Earth and Sun.
• Once completed, review the lunar phases again, using the Oreos as a visual guide.
• End the lesson with a delightful twist – allow students to eat their Oreo moons, celebrating their new understanding of the lunar phases!

Begin the moon phases lesson with this engaging video. It beautifully illustrates how to use Oreos to model each lunar phase, making the concept tangible and fun. This introduction sets the tone, stimulates enthusiasm, and ensures students grasp the fundamental idea before they start their own delicious lunar exploration.

For a video showing you five other projects that you can use to teach the solar system to your students, check out A Toy Day’s YouTube video. It is a compilation of several projects that will keep children entertained for long periods of time.

I also recommend investing in an interactive whiteboard. These devices are perfect for different types of learners, and they bring so much fun to your classroom. You can play games while also teaching your students various topics. Consult this guide to determine the most suitable whiteboard for your needs.

Seeking additional ideas for science experiments? Dive into our exclusive article dedicated to this topic for a wealth of inspiration for kids of all ages.

How To Introduce Solar System To Students

You may find yourself wondering how to introduce the complex solar system to your students. Do not worry; I will help make this a much simpler process for you. First, I want to assure you that your students will enjoy learning about the various planets. Since the solar system consists of so many bright-colored planets that are of different shapes, each one is bound to grab their attention.

After you have gone over each planet, be sure to come up with ways to help students remember each one. You can develop worksheets that have the name of the planet and its color to help. Once you feel that your students comprehend all the planets, I believe you should do several fun projects to help them grasp them even more. Children do not do well with lectures for long periods of time, so integrating hands-on projects will lighten up their mood and create fun in your classroom.

Be sure to ask the students questions about the planets to ensure that they understand each one. For example, you may ask, “What color is Jupiter?” or hold up a sheet of paper with the Earth on it and ask, “What planet is this?”

To see a simple and fun solar system project for kids, check out Zodiac Bitavarra’s YouTube video. You will only need a few items that you can pick up from a craft shop, and it will bring you and your students hours of fun. This project is an excellent way to introduce the solar system to your students.

An awesome gadget that I believe every teacher should have in their classroom is a document camera. This camera can work virtually and in person. All you need to do is place an object underneath the camera, and your students will be able to see it on the screen.

Some Interesting Facts About The Solar System To Tell Students

Interesting facts are not just attention grabbers; they serve as powerful tools to engage your students, piquing their interest and prompting questions that lead to meaningful learning experiences.

To captivate your students with the wonders of the cosmos, consider sharing these fascinating facts about our solar system:

• You cannot stand on Uranus: Uranus is unique in the solar system as it rotates on its side, making it impossible to stand on it like we do on Earth.
• The rings on Saturn are mostly made of water: Saturn’s rings, a splendid sight in our solar system, are predominantly composed of countless small ice particles, reflecting sunlight and giving them a bright appearance.
• Mercury takes three months just to orbit the Sun: Mercury, the closest planet to the Sun, has a peculiar orbit. It takes about three Earth months to complete one orbit around the Sun, a stark contrast to Earth’s 365-day orbit.
• One day is longer than an entire year on Venus: Venus, often referred to as Earth’s sister planet, has an extremely slow rotation on its axis. In fact, a single day on Venus (one complete rotation) is longer than its year (one orbit around the Sun).
• It would take 100 times longer to make it around the Sun than it does the Earth: A journey around the Sun takes Earth 365 days, but if you were traveling on a comet from the outer reaches of the solar system, it could take more than 100 Earth years to complete the same journey.
• The solar system is over 4 billion years old: Our solar system, a vast and ancient celestial structure, is estimated to be over 4 billion years old, having formed from a giant, rotating cloud of gas and dust known as the solar nebula.

Integrating these intriguing facts into your lessons can turn a routine class into an extraordinary exploration of our solar system, encouraging your students to appreciate the vastness and complexity of the universe we inhabit.

If you would like to watch a video that goes over other science project ideas for children, take a look at The Best Project Maker’s YouTube video. This video is great at explaining several different projects that will keep your students engaged as well as teach them everything there is to know about science.

For older students who need to go back and look at your lessons on the solar system, my advice is to purchase a camera for recording lectures. With this tool, you can record your lecture and lesson plans, and your students who missed your class or simply need to go back and take notes for their exams can do so. I have written another article on these devices.

On the hunt for further inspiration for science experiments? Our comprehensive article offers a plethora of imaginative ideas to explore.

Useful Resources

• Science Lesson Plans for the Classroom
• How to Make Science Fun and Exciting in the Classroom
• How Can I Get My Child Interested In STEM?

I hope this article helped you find a few solar system project ideas that you would like to try out in your classroom. The goal is to encourage teachers around the globe to adopt these projects into their classrooms as they are great learning tools that will keep your students entertained for hours at a time. Good luck and happy teaching!

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Paulie Ivanova is a novice teacher. She recently graduated as a teacher at the university and is full of new teaching ideas. She teaches elementary school students, so she doesn't get bored at work. Working with children Paulie is not afraid to experiment and is constantly applying new techniques.

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Which class can these projects be used for?

I think they can be used for students of all ages. Of course, students will need help from their parents or they can do projects in pairs.

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Exploring the Solar System Project-Based Learning Unit

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A Comprehensive Lesson on the Solar System

Research the planets, build a model solar system, and create a "planet museum" exhibit with this cross-curricular PBL unit.

Your students will "meet the planets" in this complete cross-curricular project-based learning unit on the solar system for 4th to 6th grade science. They'll build background knowledge through a virtual outer space tour and a "scavenger hunt" research project, build a scale model of the solar system as a group, and create and display a "planet museum" exhibit that enables them to synthesize and showcase their knowledge of the solar system.

What's Inside

Packed with hands-on inquiry-based activities, extensions and enhancements, cross-curricular independent and group work, and engaging and interactive challenges, this 70-page project-based unit comes complete with:

• For the Teacher: A complete solar system Lesson Plan with step-by-step instructions for all activities, teaching tips, assessment guidance, and inquiry questions.
• For Students: A full-color Student Pack complete with all of the printables and instructions students need for the solar system activities - just print (or share) and teach!

A complete, ready-to-teach Teacher Pack that includes:

• Teacher versions of all the student printables with step-by-step annotations and notes for teaching the solar system;
• Formative and summative assessments, answer keys, and a full project rubric;
• Instructions and guidance for the extension activities and project enhancements;
• Materials and resources lists, and additional resources for lecture and presentation.

What's Included

Lesson Plan - Step-by-Step Project Guide

• Milestone 1: Building Background Knowledge of the Solar System
• Milestone 2: Planet Design
• Milestone 3: Building a Model Solar System
• Milestone 4: Synthesizing Acquired Knowledge of the Solar System
• Milestone 5: Show What You Know About the Solar System

Teacher and Student Resources

• List of Books About the Solar System
• Solar System Map
• Outer Space Virtual Tour Answer Key
• Meet the Planets Background Information
• Planet Cards
• Creating a Solar System Model Answer Key
• Meet the Planets Quick Quiz
• Meet the Planets Quick Quiz Answer Key
• Slideshow Mini-Lesson
• Meet the Planets Summative Assessment
• Meet the Planets Summative Assessment Answer Key
• Meet the Planets Project and Presentation Rubric
• Outer Space Virtual Tour
• Solar System Brainstorm
• How to Do Good Research
• Planet Facts Scavenger Hunt
• Fast Facts: The Solar System
• Milestone #1 Inquiry Question
• Planet Trading Cards
• Creating a Solar System Model
• Designing a Planet
• Milestone #2 Inquiry Question
• Asteroids, Comets, and Meteors
• Steps for Making a Solar System Model
• Solar System Observations
• Milestone #3 Inquiry Question
• 3, 2, 1 Blastoff!
• Planning a Museum Exhibit
• Planet Slideshow Requirements

• Project Overview

This project-based learning lesson is designed to support and reinforce the concepts taught as part of a lesson on Earth and the Solar System. It is built around 5 inquiry-based milestones that incorporate cross-curricular hands-on projects, formative and summative assessments, independent and group activities, and extensions.

STUDENT/GROUP OUTPUT:

In the course of this project-based learning unit, students will:

• Perform independent and group inquiry-based research on the planets and the solar system;
• Use their research to design and build a planet model;
• Convert astronomical units to scale, and build a scale model of the solar system in school that includes their planet models;
• Make predictions about orbital characteristics of planets, and carry out experiments to verify those predictions;
• Synthesize acquired research and empirical knowledge into a "planet museum" exhibit, and develop digital and written resources to accompany each.
• "Show what they know" by delivering a class presentation/tour of their "planet museum" exhibit.

SUGGESTED SUBJECT PREREQUISITES:

Students will acquire necessary background knowledge of the solar system as part of this project, and instructional materials for providing that background are included in the Teacher Pack (PowerPoint presentation and Teaching Notes).

SEQUENCE AND PACING

This project-based unit is divided into 5 milestones. The minimum suggested duration for completing this project-based unit is 5 class periods. However, the unit is completely flexible can be lengthened or shortened as necessary or desired, based on available class time and interest level.

TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES (suggested):

• Internet access
• Microsoft Office PowerPoint, Google Slides, or other presentation software.

STANDARDS ALIGNMENT

These activities support the following NGSS curriculum standards:

• ESS1.A: The Universe and Stars
• ESS1.B: Earth and the Solar System

Featured Middle School Resources

Related Resources

The 21 Best Solar System Project Ideas for Young Learners

If you’re looking for solar system project ideas that are perfect for young students, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll provide a range of projects that will help students learn about our solar system, from making a model of the solar system to learning about the planets and their orbits. With these projects, your students will have a blast learning about space. Let’s get started.

Solar System Activities for Kindergarten

1. sugar cookie solar system.

By cooking a sugar cookie solar system, you’re able to simultaneously learn about the solar system while spending quality participating in a physical activity. Our solar system is not only home to planets, but also the sun, moons, comets, stars, and much more! This activity allows your young students to better understand how all of these different celestial bodies interact with one another. Learn more .

2. Space sensory bin

The sensory bin contains glitter, models of the planets, stars and other fun shapes to help incorporate STEM learning with this helpful sensory dactivity. Learn more .

3. Hands on solar system

All you need to do to play with this solar system is get a large window and a spray bottle of water. This will even work if you’re in the bathtub! Spray the window with water and stick the planets up one by one starting with the sun. As you put them up, talked about planet names pointed out how some were closer or farther away from the sun. You can also discussed similarities and differences between planets; how some have rings around them while others don’t for example. Learn more .

4. Planets and the solar system

With your young learners, touch, read, and discover all about our amazing solar system with Smithsonian Kids! With special embossing to highlight fun facts about the wonders of space and the universe, this book engages both verbal and tactile learning skills. Embossed textures as well as bright photographs and renderings from Smithsonian are sure to engage, entertain, educate curious students. Learn more .

5. Glow in the dark decals

Last for very young students is these decals you can get as a parent. They are much bigger and more high quality than you would expect. They look great, are highly detailed, glow in the dark and are perfect for the child that shows interest in space and the solar system. Learn more .

Solar System Activities for Grades Kindergarten – Grade 1-2

6. solar system hat.

A great activity that helps students practice their motor skills while learning about the solar system. You as the teacher may need to help out with the writing, but the coloring and cutting can be done by the children.

7. Space tray

The space tray allows endless possibilities for the imagination to run wild. This space-themed tray is great for developing language skills, curiosity about the natural world, numeracy skills, cause and effect awareness, and fine motor skills. Learn more .

8. Clothes pin paint stick solar model

A great idea is to turn clothes pins into painted sticks that point to the different planets. Students can create both the planet cloth and decorate the pins. The activity can be adjusted for difficulty and you can require students to label the planets as well. Learn more .

9. Solar system made of chalk

A simply yet brilliant idea is to use chalk outside to create and label the solar system. This solar system science activity requires you and your students to step outside for a fun learning experience. By measuring the sun’s scaled distances from each planet, provided by NASA, your students will get an understanding of how large our solar system really is. Learn more .

10. There’s no place like space

The last on our list for kindergarten is a book by Tish Rabe. It’s a great activity to help students learn about the solar system as they start to read. Students will learn basic vocabulary and this book can help lead into the activities mentioned previously. Learn more .

11. Lava Lab – Prep book

An excellent workbook with both content and visuals. Math, tracing letters, finding differences, coloring, cutting pasting, this book has it all and for rising levels of difficulty too. There’s plenty of explanation pages with lots of blank space to practice on. Essential to help your students understand solar concepts you want to teach. Learn more .

12. Solar system balloons

These balloons are large, detailed and perfect for use in a project with young learners. Consider using these balloon outside during PE class with a parachute to help demonstrate the size and scope of our solar system. Learn more .

Solar System Activities for Grades 3-5

13. solar system foam model.

Create a foam model of the solar system ( foam ball set here ). Students can engage in this activity through painting, drawing and creating. They will also need to get material to best represent the size of each planet. An overall fun activity students can spend a day or two creating. Learn more .

14. National Geographic Kids Window Art Kit 

With this captivating craft kit, children can make an beautiful window solar system display. The set includes 8 acrylic planets, 1 paintbrush, 5 glow-in-the-dark paints (red, green, orange, yellow & blue), 2 metallic paints; and kid-friendly instructions & learning guide. A great choice for home school. Learn more .

15. Solar system model making kit

Children will love learning about the solar system with this 4M Solar System Planetarium set. They can paint and assemble the planets, rods, and string included in the set, then use the stencils and glow paint pen to create their own starscapes.

The wall chart is filled with facts about planetary bodies, orbits, rotations, distances from the sun – everything kids need to know to explore our little corner of space. And when they’re done playing planetarium engineer you can test their knowledge. Learn more .

16. Solar craft projects

Contains a few simple crafts students will enjoy. Ideal for ages from 4-10. Overall a bit basic and not as in-depth as other options on the list, but if you’re homeschooling your children and want a few, simple but fun activities then consider looking at this offering from Jack in the Box. Learn more .

17. Playdough solar system (3 lbs minimum)

Use art dough or Playdough to create models of the different planets. Students need to be responsible and creative for this activity to work. In addition you’ll need a lot of art dough to complete this project. You can purchase tubs of different colors of dough for an affordable price. Learn more .

Solar System Activities for Grades 6-8

18. solar system model.

Upper elementary students will have a blast creating an old-fashioned 3D diorama like the one pictured. Not only are these projects fun for kids, but they’re also great learning tools. Students can research facts about planets and then use that information to create their own solar system model. This is a great way for them to show off everything they’ve learned throughout your solar system unit. Learn more.

19. Solar system online model

SolarSystemScope.com provides an excellent virtual model of the solar system. You can download it to your desktop or mobile device. It provides an up-to-date model of the Solar System, night sky and outer space. Students can learn interesting facts about each object while viewing their accurate positions in real time. Learn more .

20. Planetary Exploration by Google Earth and Mirakan

This is a walkthrough tutorial and educational program of exploring the planets provided by a partnership of Google Earth and Miraikan, the national museum of emerging science and engineering. Ideal lesson and project introduction for any computer class. Learn more .

21. Planet project

A classic option for older students is to create a dedicated project about a single aspect of our solar system in greater detail with graphics, facts, research as well as artistic effort and design.

Solar system projects ideas – conclusion

You now have a few ideas for your solar system project. You can create a scale model of the solar system, or use different materials to represent each planet. The sky is the limit when it comes to creativity. No matter which project you choose, you’ll have a blast learning more about our amazing solar system.

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41 Galactic Solar System Projects for Kids

Inspire your budding astronomers!

You’d be hard-pressed to find a kid who isn’t drawn to space exploration. The solar system is filled with endless wonders and mysteries that help grow children’s interest in science. We have, however, come a long way since the days of hanging mobile solar system models (not that there’s anything wrong with that). From edible solar systems to large-scale chalk outlines, we found plenty of creative solar system projects to inspire budding astronomers.

1. Create an edible solar system

We love solar system projects that are equally effective as a lesson on healthy eating and science! Grab a variety of fruits, veggies, and meats, then have students get to work creating their solar system snack.

Get tutorial: Edible Solar System

2. Make play dough planets

First, make some DIY play dough or, if you’re in a pinch, buy some in a variety of colors. Then, show your students different photos and renderings of the planets so they can mold them. Finally, draw rings with white chalk on a sheet of black construction paper to represent the solar system.

Get tutorial: Play Dough Planets

3. Create a solar system on a paint stick

Solar system projects that are simple and require minimal preparation and supplies are some of our favorites! This one fits the bill since all you will need are paint sticks, painting supplies, clothespins, and some markers.

Get tutorial: Paint Stick Solar System

4. Build a space snow globe

Surely every adult remembers making a homemade snow globe at some point in their childhood. Re-create these memories with your children or students while also learning about the planets and solar system.

Get tutorial: Space Snow Globes

5. Learn about constellations with free printable cards

First, download the free PDF of these constellation flash cards. Then, print them and cut them out. Then have your students test their knowledge of the various constellations found in the sky. If they have access to a telescope at home, they can use them to identify what they are looking at.

Get printable: Constellation Flashcards

6. Simplify the solar system

This solar system project demonstrates how close each planet is to the sun. A yellow button makes for the perfect sun while paper dots work great as the planets.

Get tutorial: Solar System Button Model

7. Use plastic lids as planets

This project puts the concept of upcycling to good use. Have your students save all their various bottle caps and lids before you plan to do this project. Paint them as necessary and lay them out on some black paper to represent the various planets in the solar system.

Get tutorial: Plastic Lid Planets

8. Build a solar system out of LEGO

Kids love LEGO and they love anything space-related, so this project is a win-win in our book. Ask friends and family to donate LEGO bricks that their kids have outgrown so you have plenty of blocks for your students to work with.

Get tutorial: LEGO Solar System

9. Wear a solar system

Have students paint different-size wooden beads to look like the various planets. Once the paint is dry, seal them with a clear coat. Then have students string them onto a chain or string.

Get tutorial: Solar System Necklace

10. Use balloons and rice to build planets

Watch these adorable twins explain how to build models of the planets using rice and balloons. Once the models are complete, display them on plastic cups that are labeled with each planet’s name.

Get tutorial: Balloon Planets

11. Create a solar system using mixed-media art

You will need several days to complete this project, but the end result is just so cool! First, use a pipette and liquid watercolors to paint cotton rounds to resemble the planets. Then, use dark fabric to fill an embroidery hoop. Supply your students with acrylic paints so they can paint the fabric. Students should be encouraged to add sequins or glitter to the wet paint since they will make for a more realistic-looking night sky. Finally, have them glue their planets wherever they want.

Get tutorial: Mixed-Media Solar System

12. Paint rocks to resemble planets

Since rock painting is always fun, why not try painting rocks to resemble the planets and the sun? Once done, you can lay them out on a piece of black card stock. Be sure to use fine-tip permanent paint pens so you can really capture the details, and even leave them outside for friends to find.

Get tutorial: Rock Planets

13. Play solar system bingo

Print the free bingo cards, then gather some glass gems or buttons to use to cover the spaces. This game would make for the perfect reward for good behavior since it is so fun!

Get printable: Solar System Bingo

14. Map out the solar system on the floor

Some solar system projects require considerable preparation but are totally worth it. We especially love that this one is interactive.

Get tutorial: Solar System Map

15. To Pluto or not to Pluto

Begin by having students read two articles: one about why Pluto should be reinstated as a planet and one about why it should not. Then have them pick the best fact from each article and make their own personal decision on the issue. Once they make their decision, they’ll create a poster stating their opinion and the reason for it. Finally, have them create an astronaut of themselves to show how they voted.

16. Use stickers to create a space scene

Use a splatter technique to create the backdrop for your solar system scene. Purchase planet stickers like these in bulk so kids can easily build their solar systems.

Get tutorial: Solar System Sticker Craft

17. Craft a solar system garland

While not a free printable, we think this affordable solar system coloring page is perfect for creating a garland you can display around your classroom or home. Have plenty of colored pencils and markers on hand so students can engage in some stress-reducing coloring!

Watch video: Planet Garland

18. Read books on the solar system

There really is no substitute for a good book when teaching students about a topic like the solar system. Stock up on some popular titles, then display them in your classroom library so students can read up on the planets and stars.

Learn more: Our Favorite Books About Space

19. Make pipe cleaner planets

If you’re a pre-k or elementary school teacher, odds are you already have a drawer or box full of a variety of pipe cleaners. Put them to good use by having your students make these adorable pipe cleaner planets.

Watch video: Pipe Cleaner Planets

20. Create and wear a solar system hat

It’s probably best to pre-cut the black strips before doing this project with your students. Once the strips have been cut, have your students splatter paint on them. While the bands are drying, have your students cut and color the planets using a free printable . Then glue the sun, planets, and labels onto the hat.

Get tutorial: Solar System Hat

21. Map out the solar system outside

This project incorporates math as well science since you will need to measure the planets for an accurate comparison. All you need is chalk and some space for this easy project.

Get tutorial: Chalk Solar System

22. Play with a solar system spinner

Print this free game board, then place the fidget spinner in the middle. Have your students play and see how quickly they can recognize the various features of the solar system.

Get printable: Solar System Spinner

23. Make a Styrofoam planet model

You can’t have a list of solar system projects without the good old-fashioned Styrofoam ball model. Grab some Styrofoam, paint, and skewers and get to work!

Get tutorial: Styrofoam Planet Model

24. Make solar system bookmarks and fact cards

Print out solar system fact cards to have kids quiz each other or as writing prompts for research projects. The bookmarks are a great way to reinforce what they learned while reading.

25. Fashion planets from yarn and papier-mâché

This project is going to take a lot of time and you will need a few days to complete it, but these yarn planets will be totally worth it. You can even get some command strips and string and hang them from your classroom’s ceiling once done.

Get tutorial: Papier-Mâché Planets

26. Line up the planets

This simple project demonstrates to students how far each individual planet is from the sun. All you will need is construction paper, glue, and markers.

Learn more: Planet Lineup

27. Make planets from coffee filters

Place paper plates under a coffee filter to contain any mess, then have students color the filters with markers. Once colored, spray water over them to get the final watercolor-like effect. Finally, cut them to size and display them around your room.

Get tutorial: Coffee Filter Planets

28. Explore NASA’s website

NASA has an excellent website that includes so, so many resources to explore all about space and the solar system.

Learn more: NASA Solar System Exploration

29. Do some stargazing

This is a project that can either be done at home or during an evening outing. The Museum of Natural History’s website has an entire section full of tips for kids on stargazing.

Learn more: Astronomy Guide

30. Make marshmallow constellations

Get some books and other resources on constellations, then challenge your students to create constellations with marshmallows and toothpicks. (Be sure to have plenty of extra marshmallows since you know little stargazers love to snack!)

Get tutorial: Marshmallow Constellations

31. Make some solar system slime

Kids love slime, but be prepared for a day filled with mess! Solar system slime and clay planets are a fun (and messy) way to explore space.

Get tutorial: Solar System Slime

32. Turn planets into peg dolls

This is one of the more unique solar system projects we’ve seen. Grab yourself some peg dolls at your local craft store or Amazon in varying sizes and shapes. Then give kids some paint and let them design them to look like the sun and planets.

Learn more: Lovely Lottys Homework

33. Spin the planets on a penny

This is another planet spinner, but this time using a penny instead of a fidget spinner. Show the kids a diagram of the solar system, have them draw it on a white coaster-sized circle, and then cut a slit in the middle. Make sure the adult cuts the hole. Then place a penny in the middle to stand in as the sun. Once they’re made, kids will have a blast seeing how fast they can spin their solar system.

Learn more: Solar System Penny Spinners

34. Print a moon with pom-poms

This is the perfect solar system project for toddlers or preschoolers. Simply turn a paper plate upside down, put some gray paint on a palette, and then let kids dab pom-poms in the paint and apply them to the plate. You can talk to the kids about the surface of the moon and craters while they craft.

Get tutorial: Pom-Pom Printed Moon Craft

35. Take a tour of the ISS

Ever wonder what it’s like to spend time in the International Space Station? Wonder no more because you can take a tour with this informative video!

36. Create a solar system bracelet

While we already had a solar system necklace on our list, this bracelet was too pretty not to include. Plus we think it would make a great gift idea too!

37. Use magnets to make a solar system

Solar system magnets plus a white board are a great way to let kids explore the planets, sun, and other aspects of the solar system. It’s also an easy, store-bought solution if you are short on time.

Buy it: Magdum Solar System Magnets

38. Run a gravity experiment

This is a really cool experiment that will teach kids about gravity and centripetal force in a hands-on way. The experiment involves dropping plastic eggs filled with marbles from varying heights and then recording the speed with which they fall to the ground.

Get tutorial: Gravity And Centripetal Force in Our Solar System

39. Test your aim

Kids learn best when having fun, so why not add this solar system dartboard to your indoor recess repertoire?

Buy it: BooTaa Large Dart Board for Kids

40. Take a field trip to a football field

Show your students this video so they really understand the size and scope of the solar system. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could take them out to the football field to have them reenact the video to really drive the point home.

41. Roll out some toilet paper

Use a roll of toilet paper and some printable planets to demonstrate the scale of the solar system and how far apart the planets are from one another and the sun. This is a great activity to do outside on a nice day.

Learn more: Space Unit for Kids

Can’t get enough space? Check out these  Out of This World Space-Themed Classroom Ideas .

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38 Space Activities for Kids That Are Out of This World

You don't need to be a rocket scientist to enjoy these! Continue Reading

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Solar System

The perseverance rover lands on mars on february 18, 2021 experience a simulation of the landing below:.

Hello, Pluto!

Answer your questions:

Link up and Listen!

This is the tooltip tooltip-description for the article you hovered over.

All About Pluto

Pluto is now categorized as a dwarf planet.

What Is an Orbit?

An orbit is a regular, repeating path that one object in space takes around another one.

Play Bingo While Watching the Psyche Spacecraft Launch!

During the launch broadcast, you can mark off the words that you hear!

Make a Colorful Crayon Europa with Textures!

Create your own colorful crayon Europa with textures!

What Is a Comet?

Learn all about comets!

Color Your Universe: Find the Hidden Objects

Can you find all the NASA and space-themed hidden objects?

Why Do We Care About Water on Mars?

Where there are signs of water, there might also be signs of life!

What Is an Impact Crater?

Learn about impact craters!

How Long is a Year on Other Planets?

You probably know that a year is 365 days here on Earth. But did you know that on Mercury you’d have a birthday every 88 days? Read this article to find out how long it takes all the planets in our solar system to make a trip around the Sun.

Explore Mars: A Mars Rover Game

Drive around the Red Planet and gather information in this fun coding game!

All About the Moon

The biggest planet in our solar system

What Is the Weather Like on Other Planets?

Each of the planets in our solar system experiences its own unique weather.

Is There Ice on Other Planets?

Yes, there is ice beyond Earth! In fact, ice can be found on several planets and moons in our solar system.

How Do We Weigh Planets?

We can use a planet’s gravitational pull like a scale!

What Is a Solar Eclipse?

Learn more about what happens when the moon passes between Earth and the sun!

How Is the Sun Completely Blocked in an Eclipse?

It all has to do with the distance between Earth and the sun and Earth and the moon.

Asteroid or Meteor: What's the Difference?

Learn more about asteroids, meteors, meteoroids, meteorites, and comets!

What Is an Asteroid?

And what can we learn from these space rocks in our solar system?

Make a Planet Mask!

Make a mask and pretend to be your favorite planet in our solar system!

The Mars Rovers: Perseverance

This future mission will try to find out if life ever existed on the Red Planet!

The Mars Rovers: Curiosity

Mars had water long ago. But did it also have other conditions needed for life?

The Mars Rovers: Spirit and Opportunity

What did these twin rovers teach us about the history of water on Mars?

The Mars Rovers: Sojourner

Learn more about the first rover to land on Mars!

The Mars Rovers

How do rovers help us learn more about the Red Planet?

All About Neptune

The coldest planet in our solar system

All About Uranus

The planet that spins on its side

All About Saturn

The planet with beautiful rings

All About Jupiter

All About Mars

The red planet

All About Earth

The planet with living things

All About Venus

The hottest planet in our solar system

All About the Planets

Learn more about the planets in our solar system

Make a Comet on a Stick!

A comet close to home

How Long Is One Day on Other Planets?

Learn to make a graph with the answer!

How Many Moons Does Each Planet Have?

We have one, but some planets have dozens.

Europa: Jupiter's Ocean World

Learn more about this icy moon of Jupiter!

Why Does the Moon Have Craters?

It's not because the Moon gets hit by meteors more often...

What Is the Kuiper Belt?

The icy bits past Neptune’s orbit

Where Does the Solar System End?

The Oort Cloud!

Why Are Planets Round?

And how round are they?

All About Mercury

The smallest planet in our solar system

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Interstellar space begins where the sun’s magnetic field stops affecting its surroundings.

Jumping the Tallest Cliff in the Solar System

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What's It Like Inside Jupiter?

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What Is a Planet?

The answer isn't so simple...

How Did the Solar System Form?

The story starts about 4.6 billion years ago, with a cloud of stellar dust.

Write your own zany adventure story!

Make Oreo Moon Phases!

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Make No-Bake Moon Cookies!

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What causes them?

Make asteroids you can eat!

Make yummy potatoes look like asteroids.

Why does Saturn have rings?

And what are they made of?

Make a CD Saturn

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Space Volcanoes!

Explore the many volcanoes in our solar system using the Space Volcano Explorer.

Thirsty? Have a comet!

Could they have brought the water to our planet?

Gallery of NASA Solar System Images

Glorious planets and moons to view or print.

Voyager 1 and 2: The Interstellar Mission

These spacecraft traveled to the outer planets!

High Tide on IO!

What do you get when you cross an earthquake with a tidal wave?

Play Solar System Switch-a-Roo!

Put clues together to find the planets and moons.

NASA Pumpkin Stencils

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Printable Space Valentines

Share these with your friends and family!

What Is a Barycenter?

And how does it help us find new planets?

DSN Uplink-Downlink: A DSN Game

Help the big antennas gather data from the spacecraft.

Mission to Jupiter: Juno

Help Juno reveal Jupiter's true nature.

Build a model spacecraft to explore the solar system!

Paper models of your favorite solar system explorers. This link takes you away from NASA Space Place.

Download SpacePlace iPhone Games!

Join the SpacePlace Community!

Easy and Educational Solar System Crafts and Projects

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I love to include hands-on activities in lessons whenever possible. These solar system crafts and projects are an easy and fun addition to an elementary astronomy unit study. Solar system art and fun solar system projects are a creative way to get kids interested in all things space. 

When we include crafts in our lessons:

• Kids can work on improving fine motor skills
• It is an easy way to keep kids interested
• Kids notice details that they might not otherwise
• We can weave in other subjects

Add a few of these themed crafts to your elementary astronomy science lessons.

Planet Booklet

A planet booklet is a great way to introduce research projects for elementary-age kids. If we ask young kids to research something they generally don’t know where to start. It can be really overwhelming!

Having a few specific things to research can help kids begin to learn how to find important educational information.

This free printable planet booklet asks students to find the following information about a specific planet:

• Number of moons
• If there are rings
• Temperature
• Number of planets from the Sun
• Distance from both Earth and the Sun
• How long it takes to orbit on its axis
• How long it takes to orbit the Sun

If you would like your student to research all of the planets in our solar system, just print out more booklets.

Marbled Planet

Making marbled planets is a fun art activity that ties in a bit of science. First, read about the appearance of planets. Students will want to take notice of each planet’s size and dominant colors.

Then they will use acrylic paint and shaving cream to create marbled artwork for each planet.

Solar system sponge art is another great planetary craft.

Solar System Cookies

My kids were always happy to do schoolwork if it included cookies. Sometimes it seemed like they learned through their stomachs! They really enjoyed this edible solar system project as a review activity.

To make solar system cookies bake sugar cookies in different sizes. The cookies will be planets and some planets are big while others are small. After the cookies are cool, decorate each one to look like a specific planet. You will want icing in a variety of colors. We enjoyed adding sprinkles too.

This fun project was so much fun! Review is always better with cookies.

Solar System Order Bracelets

Many kids use mnemonic devices to remember the order of the planets, but another fun way is to create solar system order bracelets. You will need bracelet string and pony beads in a variety of colors.  Ideally, the beads will be different colors to represent the different planets, but some of the planets look similar, so work with the beads you have.

One yellow or orange bead will represent the sun. Then the beads will go in the order of the planets. You can also add a letter to the beads to represent the names of the planets.

The order of the planets is:

Solar Eclipse Paper Plate Craft

This cute solar eclipse paper plate craft can help kids understand what is happening during a solar eclipse.

It can be a hard concept for kids to understand because it isn’t something they see often. A hands-on fun craft can help.

Related Post: Easy and Fun Solar Eclipse Activities for Kids

Space Shuttle Craft

This space shuttle craft uses common household materials like cardstock, toilet paper cardboard rolls, scissors, and markers.

Many young kids dream of one day being an astronaut, so they might really enjoy creating their very own space shuttle. They can even draw little astronauts in the space shuttles. 

This solar system craft would pair well with watching a space shuttle launch on YouTube or reading Spaceships and Rockets .

Printable Solar System Mobile

A solar system mobile is a great solar system craft for kids who love space. While completing the craft, they will learn about the appearance of each planet and the order of the planets from the Sun.

Once the mobile is finished, they now have a solar system decoration to hang in their room. A mobile can also function as a child’s own model of the solar system.

Kidsactivitiesblog.com offers a free printable template for a planet mobile.

Coffee Filter Planet Sun Catchers

This is another solar system craft that will teach kids about the appearance of the planets. All you need are coffee filters, scissors, markers, and a spray bottle filled with water.

First, your child will cut out each planet from circular coffee filters. Then use the markers to color the coffee filter planet. After it is colored in, spray it with water. This will blend the colors together. Now you can hang the coffee filter colorful planets in a window as sun catchers.

This easy solar system project might seem like a simple craft, but it is helping kids learn about the physical characteristics of different planets.

Constellation Art

Constellation art is a fun addition to any astronomy unit study. Kids will love this marshmallow constellation art craft. It is like a craft that you can eat! It is an adorable science snack idea that is sure to keep kids excited to learn.

Kids will use marshmallows and toothpicks to recreate constellations. They might enjoy reading the constellation myths that accompany their favorite constellations.

Rabbit Trails Through Homeschool is currently offering a free constellation lesson !

If you are teaching an astronomy unit study, or have kids who are fascinated by outer space take these solar system crafts one step further by checking out the Kennedy Space Center Educator Resources. The site is FULL of amazing resources for teaching kids of all ages, including older kids, about space. The activities would be an excellent addition to your science lesson plans.

I hope your kids enjoy these solar system crafts and projects!

Check out these other space activities for kids!

Educational Solar System Activities and Resources

Fun Astronomy Games for Kids

Easy and Fun Solar Eclipse Activities for Kids

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Welcome! My name is Jennifer. I am a teacher at heart. Before my children were born I was a public school teacher. Now, I am a homeschooling mom of two.

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NASA to hoist its sail: Solar sail mission gets ready for launch

by Abby Tabor, NASA

A NASA mission testing a new way of navigating our solar system is ready to hoist its sail into space—not to catch the wind, but the propulsive power of sunlight. The Advanced Composite Solar Sail System is targeting launch on Tuesday, April 23 (Wednesday, April 24 in New Zealand) aboard a Rocket Lab Electron rocket from the company's Launch Complex 1 on the Mahia Peninsula of New Zealand.

Rocket Lab's Electron rocket will deploy the mission's CubeSat about 600 miles above Earth—more than twice the altitude of the International Space Station. To test the performance of NASA's Advanced Composite Solar Sail System, the spacecraft must be in a high enough orbit for the tiny force of sunlight on the sail—roughly equivalent to the weight of a paperclip resting on your palm—to overcome atmospheric drag and gain altitude.

After a busy initial flight phase, which will last about two months and includes subsystems checkout, the microwave oven-sized CubeSat will deploy its reflective solar sail. The weeks-long test consists of a series of pointing maneuvers to demonstrate orbit raising and lowering, using only the pressure of sunlight acting on the sail.

NASA's Advanced Composite Solar Sail System aims to prove its ability to sail across space, increasing access and enabling low-cost missions to the moon, Mars, and beyond.

Provided by NASA

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Japanese satellite will beam solar power to Earth in 2025

Japan's upcoming space-based solar power demonstration will beam power to Earth next year.

LONDON — Japan is on track to beam solar power from space to Earth next year, two years after a similar feat was achieved by U.S. engineers. The development marks an important step toward a possible space-based solar power station that could help wean the world off fossil fuels amid the intensifying battle against climate change . 

Speaking at the International Conference on Energy from Space, held here this week, Koichi Ijichi, an adviser at the Japanese research institute Japan Space Systems, outlined Japan's road map toward an orbital demonstration of a miniature space-based solar power plant that will wirelessly transmit energy from low Earth orbit to Earth.

"It will be a small satellite, about 180 kilograms [400 pounds], that will transmit about 1 kilowatt of power from the altitude of 400 kilometers [250 miles]," Ijichi said at the conference. 

Related: Space-based solar power may be one step closer to reality, thanks to this key test (video)

One kilowatt is about the amount of power needed to run a household appliance, such as a small dishwasher, for about an hour, depending on its size. Therefore, the demonstration is nowhere near the scale required for commercial use.

The spacecraft will use a 22-square-foot (2 square meters) onboard photovoltaic panel to charge a battery. The accumulated energy will then be transformed into microwaves and beamed toward a receiving antenna on Earth . Because the spacecraft travels very fast — around 17,400 mph (28,000 km/h) — antenna elements will have to be spread over a distance of about 25 miles (40 km), spaced 3 miles (5 km) apart, to allow enough energy to be transmitted.

"The transmission will take only a few minutes," Ijichi said. "But once the battery is empty, it will take several days to recharge."

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The mission, part of a project called OHISAMA (Japanese for "sun"), is on track for launch in 2025. The researchers have already demonstrated wireless transmission of solar power on the ground from a stationary source, and they plan to conduct a transmission from an aircraft in December. The aircraft will be fitted with an identical photovoltaic panel as will be flown on the spacecraft and will beam down power over a distance of 3 to 4 miles (5 to 7 km), according to Ijichi.

From concept to reality 

Space-based solar power generation, first described in 1968 by former Apollo engineer

Peter Glaser , has been considered science fiction. Although theoretically feasible, the technology has been seen as impractical and too costly, as it requires enormous structures to be assembled in orbit to produce the required power output. 

But according to the experts speaking at the conference, that situation has changed as a result of recent technological advances and the urgency to decarbonize the world's power supply to thwart climate change.

Unlike most renewable power generation technologies used on Earth, including solar power and wind energy, space-based solar power could be available constantly, as it would not depend on weather and the time of the day. Currently, nuclear power plants or gas- and coal-fired power stations are used to cover demand when the wind stops blowing or after sunset. Improvements in technology could help partially solve the problem in the future. But some pieces of the puzzle are still missing to secure a seamless carbon-neutral power supply by the middle of this century as stipulated in international climate change agreements.

Developments in robotic technologies, improvements in the efficiency of wireless power transmission and, most importantly, the arrival of SpaceX's giant rocket Starship could allow space-based solar power to become a reality, the experts said at the conference. 

Last year, a satellite built by Caltech engineers as part of the Space Solar Power Demonstrator mission beamed solar power from space for the first time . The mission, which concluded in January, was celebrated as a major milestone. 

Many more space-based solar power demonstration projects are in the pipeline. The technology is studied by space and research agencies all over the world, including the European Space Agency , the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the U.S. Air Force. Commercial companies and startups are also developing concepts, harnessing the availability of Starship and the emergence of advanced space robotics.

— Can space-based solar power really work? Here are the pros and cons.

— A solar power plant in space? The UK wants to build one by 2035.

— Space-based solar power could really work, experiment shows  

However, not everyone is enthusiastic about the potential of space-based solar power. In January, NASA released a report questioning the feasibility of the technology . The difficulty and amount of energy required to build, launch and assemble orbital power stations mean the energy they produce would be too expensive — 61 cents per kilowatt-hour, compared with as little as 5 cents per kilowatt-hour for Earth-based solar or wind energy. 

In addition, the overall carbon footprint of the power production and the amount of greenhouse gas emissions generated by rockets taking those assemblies into orbit make space-based solar power much less climate-friendly than technologies used on Earth. For example, a gigawatt-scale spaceborne solar power station, such as the CASSIOPeiA concept plant proposed by the U.K. firm Space Solar, would need 68 Starships to get to space. 

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: [email protected].

Tereza is a London-based science and technology journalist, aspiring fiction writer and amateur gymnast. Originally from Prague, the Czech Republic, she spent the first seven years of her career working as a reporter, script-writer and presenter for various TV programmes of the Czech Public Service Television. She later took a career break to pursue further education and added a Master's in Science from the International Space University, France, to her Bachelor's in Journalism and Master's in Cultural Anthropology from Prague's Charles University. She worked as a reporter at the Engineering and Technology magazine, freelanced for a range of publications including Live Science, Space.com, Professional Engineering, Via Satellite and Space News and served as a maternity cover science editor at the European Space Agency.

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• Classical Motion This will be interesting to see. Especially the receiving antenna if I understood correctly. Does the orbit need to be synced, or phased with antenna location? And maybe angle? I think I understand this concept, to replace fossil fuel. And eventually 24/7 solar power from space in the future. Unfortunately replacing fossil fuel is not the problem. If we replaced all fossil fuel tomorrow............how are you going to meet demand? And believe it or not, demand is just beginning. And to my way of thinking and I know I am weird, but reflecting sunlight to this "over-warmed planet", is not a good idea. Solar would only be green is if catches incident light. As for space reflectors, if we could orientate(can) and focus(doubtful) sunlight, it might be useful for clearing our space debris. A focused beam should illuminate the small stuff, maybe even accelerate/ionize it to de-orbit. Cleaning up some of our mess might be done with light beams. Reply

One kilowatt is about the amount of power needed to run a household appliance, such as a small dishwasher, for about an hour…

• Alaintha Reading this article, I kept thinking, what about the size, will they continue to expand and grow? Is one enough? I highly doubt one solar power plant will be enough for most countries. How many other countries will copy this engineering feat and send one up on their own? This space power plant, how will it be affected by " space trash" that falls to earth? What do repairs cost? I am not a scientist but I do love my telescope, watching the skies and my favorite stars. Scientists have stated that the "solar power" equipment will appear as just a star, I disagree. What about the "falling trash" from repairs? Or worse, thrown out of orbit from other space trash or some thing larger than an a small meteorite ? As science reaches for answers to accommodate the growth of Earth's inhabitants, how far will it go? I still have many questions about sending solar power plants to supply beams down to us. If I live long enough, will Earth be entirely surrounded by not only satellites, but now space power plants vying for orbit? How far will this congestion grow? Reply
• billslugg The congestion will grow until the outcry pushes back. There is heated debate going on right now. I believe the environmental concerns around dosing any spot on the Earth with that much microwave radiation are going to scuttle it. Fusion or thermal drilling will get there first. Reply
• Kipi I think that solar energy collection in space will never be strategically feasible as long as there is war between nations. If your entire (or most) energy supply depends on such space structures, your enemy may easily compromise you by destroying your photovoltaic station with one nuke or several conventional missiles. I think this will become (theoretically) possible only if humanity transcends war ( in other words don't hold your breath waiting for this to happen). Reply
• Unclear Engineer I agree with Kipi regarding the strategic implications of space based solar. However, the opposite is true for DISTRIBUTED ground based solar. If everybody has the ability to work while off-grid, it would not be possible for an enemy to shut down the whole country's electrical system as Russia is currently seeming to try to do in Ukraine right now. Reply
• Kipi I agree with UE in that the correct trend would be a gradual shift to decentralized independent small units with as much diversification as possible, some solar, some wind, some hydroelectric, some geothermal and all should be inter-linked into a more resilient system. However, it will take some time and resources and scientific advances until this becomes a reality. Reply
• Classical Motion Has any here seen recent photographs of Indian and Chinese cities? I spent a year on the Mojave desert in 1969. LA never looked that bad. Can you imagine 10 years from now with all that coal expansion? Geothermal is their only solution. Without ventilators. Demand will bring inexpensive holes. The tech for generation is the same for coal. And no future supply lines, storage or fees. Maybe even some year round creeks and wetlands in arid areas. Maybe even replenish large desert lakes. Reply
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Survey explores perceptions of large-scale solar projects

By Alexandra Haddad Graham Sustainability Institute

Among residents living within three miles of large-scale solar energy developments, positive attitudes about the projects outnumbered negative attitudes by a nearly 3-to-1 margin, according to a new survey of nearly 1,000 large-scale solar neighbors across the United States.

The nationally representative survey, led by Berkeley Lab and including University of Michigan researchers, sheds light on community perceptions of large-scale solar projects. For the study, a large-scale solar project was defined as a ground-mounted photovoltaic system that generates 1 megawatt or more of direct current.

Read the survey

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“We’re encouraged by the generally positive responses from residents living near large-scale solar projects, but the survey also reveals opportunities to better incorporate resident preferences during the planning process,” said Karl Hoesch, co-investigator and researcher at the Center for EmPowering Communities, a program of U-M’s Graham Sustainability Institute.

Among those surveyed, positive attitudes are more common in residents living farther from large-scale solar projects than in those living nearer. The largest projects tend to provoke negative attitudes, while projects under 100 megawatts — those requiring less than roughly 600 acres or 1 square mile — tend to receive mostly positive responses.

Factors like aesthetics, economics and perceptions of fairness in the planning process strongly influenced attitudes.

While 42% of respondents support additional large-scale solar projects in their community compared with 18% who oppose them, respondents favor disturbed sites such as landfills over forests and farmland for future large-scale solar projects.

Residents largely oppose increased state-level decision-making on future large-scale solar siting, preferring increased opportunities for community participation and feedback. They also expressed a preference for local hiring, procurement and ownership.

For reliable information about what impact a proposed project might have on their community, residents trust existing energy project neighbors, community organizations and university staff.

Despite a high prevalence of large-scale solar projects, more than 80% of respondents were unaware of their local project before construction and a third remained unaware until surveyed, leaving room for improvement in informing and engaging project neighbors to enhance awareness and participation.

“Our findings underscore the importance of local engagement and transparency in the development of solar projects. To ensure the energy transition proceeds with equity and justice, it is crucial to understand and acknowledge community preferences and foster inclusive decision-making,” said co-investigator Sarah Mills, director of the Center for EmPowering Communities. The survey marks the first nationally representative study of large-scale solar neighbors, providing valuable insights into community perceptions. Further analysis is planned to better understand influencing factors and equity concerns.

• Graham Sustainability Institute
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South Korea plans 120 GW space solar project

Two Korean research institutes are designing the 2.2 km × 2.7 km Korean Space Solar Power Satellite project with the aim of providing approximately 1 TWh of electricity to the Earth per year. The proposed system should use 4,000 sub-solar arrays of 10 m × 270 m, made out of thin film roll-out, with a system power efficiency of 13.5%.

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Schematic of the system

Image: Korea Aerospace Research Institute, Space Solar Power and Wireless Transmission, Creative Commons License CC BY 4.

Scientists from South Korea’s Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) and the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute presented in a new paper the advancements of their Korean Space Solar Power Satellite (K-SSPS) project. Namely, they presented a conceptual design of the satellite, its end-of-life disposal method, and a first pilot system and experiment.

“The objective of Japan is to develop gigawatt-level space solar power satellites (SSPS) by 2050, and China aims at megawatt-level SSPS by 2035 and gigawatt-level satellites by 2050,” corresponding author, Joon-Min Choi, told pv magazine . “Although Korea entered the field of SBSP relatively late, it has made notable progress. These advancements exemplify Korea’s commitment to achieving Space-Based Solar Power (SBSP) and contribute to the ongoing collective efforts in this field.”

As for the proposed design of the power-transmitting satellite, the group emphasized that it is “not derived from rigorous analyses but rather serves as system requirements for commercial viability.” Per this design, the system will have a mass of 10,000 tons and transmit microwave at a frequency of 5.8 GHz to Earth via a 1.0 km2 antenna. The microwaves can be converted on the ground to usable electricity via rectennas, which are special receiving antennas that are used for converting electromagnetic energy into direct current (DC).

The system is planned to have two solar array wings of 2.2 km × 2.7 km each. It will use 4,000 sub-solar arrays of 10 m × 270 m, made out of thin film roll-out, with a system power efficiency of 13.5%. On the ground, the researchers propose to place 60 rectennas with a diameter of 4 km along the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). In that case, 60 satellites will have to correspond to the 60 rectennas.

“If each rectenna could generate 2 GW, the total power collected would be 120 GW, providing approximately 1 TWh of electricity per year,” they said. “This amount exceeds South Korea’s electricity consumption in 2021 (0.5334 TWh) and surpasses the combined electricity consumption of South and North Korea for a certain period of time.”

Based on previous literature, with a lifetime of 30 years, such a structure could provide electricity at a price of  $0.03/kWh. Per the proposal, the satellite bus will first get into the Low Earth Orbit (LEO), where the main structure and the solar arrays will be installed. After conducting some tests, harvested energy will power the K-SSPS journey from the LEO to the geostationary orbit (GEO).

Image: Korea Aerospace Research Institute, Space Solar Power and Wireless Transmission, CC BY 4.0 DEED

The disposal method proposed is to intentionally collide the structure at the end of its lifetime into the lunar surface, preferably on the rear side of the Moon. This will ensure the complete removal of its debris from space while also potentially recycling valuable materials for future lunar colony residents.

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“As we stand on the verge of commercialization, it becomes imperative to scrutinize and illuminate the inherent weaknesses of SBSP and devise effective solutions or mitigation strategies,” the group said. “Of paramount importance is the necessity to articulate a comprehensive disposal methodology for the mega-size structures associated with SBSP. This substantiation is crucial for justifying the development of SBSP.”

According to the researchers, a pilot system aimed at validating power transmission capabilities and verifying the functionality of deployable/expandable devices can be realized in Korea already in the 2020s. The proposed pilot consists of two small 60 × 60 × 80 cm satellites, each with a mass of 120 kg. One of those will act as an electric power transmitter, while the other satellite serves as a receiver.

“The total solar panel area of the power transmission satellite is not sufficient to continuously transfer the power generated by the Sun, despite the solar panels providing a minimum of 0.39 kW of power,” they said. “To overcome this limitation, the power transmission satellite is equipped with two additional batteries, each weighing 4 kg, allowing for the storage of as much solar energy as possible before transmitting the power to the power reception satellite.”

They also explained the input power of the transmitter will be 8.6 kW, while the output power of the transmitter will be 3.44 kW. They calculated the average output power for different distances, ranging from 100 m to 1,000 m. Per their calculation, for 100 meters, the output load is 162 watts, while for 1,000 meters, it can be as low as 0.12 watts.

In 2019, the KARI set a goal of developing a LEO Space Solar Power Test Satellite by 2040 and a GEO SSPS by 2050. Those goals were also adopted in 2022 by the “KARI Technology Strategy.” The current developments were presented in “ Case studies on space solar power in Korea ,” published on Space Solar Power and Wireless Transmission .

This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com .

Lior Kahana

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Researchers Take a Step Closer to Better, More Affordable Solar Cells

Innovative technique leads to perovskite-based solar cells with record-breaking efficiency, the problem:.

Scaling single-junction perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has been challenging.

A new technique applied during crystal formation that allows PSCs with an ‘inverted’ or ‘pin’ structure – known for their stability – to exhibit high efficiency.

Why it Matters:

The breakthrough means PSCs are closer to scaling, bringing them nearer their potential to contribute to the decarbonization of the electricity supply.

Professor Ted Sargent, Research Assistant Professor Bin Chen, Postdoctoral Researcher Hao Chen, Postdoctoral Fellow Cheng Liu

An international team of researchers, including a group from Northwestern Engineering and Northwestern Chemistry , has set a new world record for power conversion efficiency (PCE) of single-junction perovskite solar cells (PSCs).

These solar cells – created from an emerging solar material – have the potential to generate greater solar energy at a lower cost than today’s industry-standard silicon solar cells, but scaling the technology has its challenges. Until now, PSCs have shown either high stability and lower efficiency or vice versa, depending on their structure.

Yet this team’s work has resulted in a highly stable, highly efficient 0.05cm 2 perovskite solar cell with a PCE of 26.15 percent certified by a National Renewable Energy Laboratory -accredited facility. The prior certified world record published in a scientific journal was 25.73 percent.

A 1.04 cm 2 device had a certified power conversion efficiency of 24.74 percent, also a record for its size. The best devices retained 95 percent of their initial PCE following 1,200 hours of continuous solar illumination at a temperature of 65 degrees.

“Perovskite-based solar cells have the potential to contribute to the decarbonization of the electricity supply once we finalize their design, achieve the union of performance and durability, and scale the devices,” said Ted Sargent , Lynn Hopton Davis and Greg Davis Professor of Chemistry and Electrical and Computer Engineering at Northwestern University, co-executive director of the Paula M. Trienens Institute for Sustainability and Energy , and co-corresponding author of the paper. “Our team has discovered a new technique applied during crystal formation that allows PSCs with an ‘inverted’ or ‘pin’ structure – known for their stability – to exhibit high efficiency. It’s the best of both worlds.”

Our team has discovered a new technique applied during crystal formation that allows perovskite solar cells with an ‘inverted’ or ‘pin’ structure – known for their stability – to exhibit high efficiency. It’s the best of both worlds.

Ted Sargent Lynn Hopton Davis and Greg Davis Professor of Chemistry and Electrical and Computer Engineering

"Until today, a promising and more stable perovskite solar cell - inverted perovskite solar cells - have suffered lower energy efficiencies than those achieved in their non-inverted counterparts. This work represents an important milestone by crossing the efficiency-parity threshold," said Zhijun Ning, co-corresponding author and assistant professor at ShanghaiTech University.

Findings were reported April 11 in the journal Science.

A new approach to treating defects

The basic structure of “inverted” PSCs consists of an outer electron-transporting layer (ETL), a hole transporting layer (HTL), an anode, and a cathode. The energetic losses for the cells occur primarily at the interfaces between the perovskites and the ETL and HTL layers in places where there are tiny defects in the crystals.

Prior attempts at reducing energy loss have included the use of additive or surface treatments to passivate the defects. Sargent’s team noted that the molecules in these treatments bonded at a single site on the defects in a perpendicular orientation, forcing the electrons to travel a long distance up through the material, causing resistance and lowering efficiency.

The team set out to find a molecule that would bond on two neighboring sites on the defects in a horizontal orientation, reducing the distance the electrons needed to travel and improving efficiency. They identified one molecule – 4- chlorobenzenesulfonate – that could lay down at the surface of the perovskites by forming strong Cl-Pb and SO 3 -Pb bonds with the undercoordinated Pb 2+ and led to improved performance of the devices.

“By carefully selecting molecules that lie flat on the perovskite surface, binding to two sites simultaneously, our new strategy reduced the interface resistance:  the result is much higher fill factor in solar cells, reaching 95 percent of the theoretical limit," said Jian Xu, co-first author and postdoctoral fellow at the University of Toronto.

“Not only did the addition of these molecules improve efficiency, they also simplified the manufacturing process,” noted Hao Chen , a postdoctoral researcher at Northwestern Engineering and co-first author of the paper. “When added to the perovskites precursor, these molecules automatically go to the surface of the perovskite layer to patch defects during the crystallization process. This removes the need to treat the surface defects, an extra step that often results in uneven coverage of passivators and poor stability of the devices.”

This discovery builds on prior research conducted by the Sargent Group , which has explored various strategies to improve PSC performance and stability to make them a viable alternative to silicon solar cells. Next, the team will look toward scaling the devices.

“Northwestern is really at the forefront of renewable energy technology research,” said Bin Chen , co-corresponding author and research assistant professor at Northwestern Engineering. “By focusing on stable inverted perovskites and making breakthroughs in their performance, we are  developing a solar technology that can be a gamechanger in the field.”

"With the efficiency discrepancy solved, the large and growing perovskite community will focus even more of its firepower on the inverted perovskite solar cell architecture in light of its stability advantages," said Aidan Maxwell, co-first author of the paper and a graduate student at the University of Toronto.

“We were thrilled when we achieved an independently certified efficiency of 26.1 percent for inverted perovskite solar cells: this was the first to surpass the record for the conventional structure,” added Cheng Liu , postdoctoral fellow at Northwestern Chemistry and co-first author of the paper. “The accomplishment motivates not only our own team but will also inspires further collective efforts across the wide and productive global perovskite community."

Additional authors on the paper include Yi Yang, Abdulaziz S. R. Bati, Yuan Liu, and Mercouri G. Kanatzidis of Northwestern Chemistry; Haoyue Wan, Zaiwei Wang, Lewei Zeng, Junke Wang, Sam Teale, Yanjiang Liu, Sjoerd Hoogland, Peter Serles, and Tobin Filleter of the University of Toronto; Wei Zhou and Qilin Zhou of ShanghaiTech University; Makhsud I. Saidaminov of the University of Victoria; and Muzhi Li and Nicholas Rolston of Arizona State University.

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Help Discover Worlds With NASA

The Exoplanet Watch project invites you to use your smartphone or personal telescope to help track worlds outside our solar system.

More than 5,000 planets have been confirmed to exist outside our solar system, featuring a wide array of characteristics like clouds made of glass and twin suns . Scientists estimate there could be millions more exoplanets in our home galaxy alone, which means professional astronomers could use your help tracking and studying them.This is where Exoplanet Watch comes in. Participants in the program can use their own telescopes to detect planets outside our solar system, or they can look for exoplanets in data from other telescopes using a computer or smartphone.

Exoplanet Watch began in 2018 under NASA’s Universe of Learning , one of the agency’s Science Activation programs that enables anyone to experience how science is done and discover the universe for themselves. Until recently there were limits on how many people could help look through the data collected by other telescopes, but now this program is easily available to anyone. By following the site’s instructions , participants can download data to their device or access it via the cloud, and then assess it using a custom data analysis tool.

“With Exoplanet Watch you can learn how to observe exoplanets and do data analysis using software that actual NASA scientists use,” said Rob Zellem, the creator of Exoplanet Watch and an astrophysicist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. “We’re excited to show more people how exoplanet science is really done.”

Helping Without a Telescope

Participants without telescopes can help astronomers comb through data that’s already been taken. The project has 10 years of exoplanet observations, collected by a small ground-based telescope south of Tucson, Arizona. This year, the project will start collecting additional data from two other telescopes at the Table Mountain facility in Southern California, which JPL manages.

These telescopes look at nearby stars and search for what scientists call exoplanet transits : regular dips in a star’s brightness caused by a planet passing between the star and Earth. Essentially, a transit is an observation of a planet’s silhouette against the bright glare of its star.

Multiple NASA telescopes look for exoplanet transits as a way to discover new planets, but Exoplanet Watch participants primarily observe transits by planets that have already been discovered to gain more information about their orbits. The time between exoplanet transits reveals how long it takes an exoplanet to orbit its parent star; the more transits that are measured, the more precisely the length of the orbit is known. If the timing of the orbit isn’t measured precisely, scientists who want to study those planets in more detail with large ground-based or space-based telescopes can lose valuable observing time while they wait for the planet to appear. Having volunteers sort through the data will save significant computing and processing time.

Exoplanet Watch participants will also look for variations in the apparent brightness of stars – changes caused by features such as flares (outbursts of light) and star spots (dark spots on a star’s surface). In transit measurements, these changes make a planet appear smaller or larger than it actually is. This work will help scientists anticipate the variability of a particular star before they study its exoplanets with large, sensitive telescopes like NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope .

Helping With Your Own Telescope

Want to take your own data? Although the number of targets you can see increases with the size of the telescope used, there’s no minimum size requirement. For example, Exoplanet Watch can help you detect exoplanet transits for hundreds of nearby stars with just a 6-inch (15-centimeter) telescope.

Exoplanet Watch combines observations of the same target by multiple sky watchers in order to get a higher-fidelity measurement. Combining observations is also useful if the planet’s transit lasts longer than the time a star is visible in the sky for a single observer: Multiple participants at different locations around the globe can collectively watch the duration of a long transit.

That was the case with a planet called HD 80606 b , which Webb will observe this year . A recent study of this planet led by Kyle Pearson, the Exoplanet Watch deputy science lead at JPL, combined observations from more than 20 Exoplanet Watch participants. The volunteer effort on HD 80606 b will free up almost two hours of time on Webb for other observations. And on missions that aim to observe hundreds or thousands of exoplanets, the number of minutes saved by refining planet transit measurements can add up and free a significant amount of observing time, according to Zellem.

One of the program’s policies requires that the first paper to make use of the observations or analysis done by volunteers will list those volunteers as co-authors, which was the case with the study led by Pearson. “I hope this program lowers barriers to science for a lot of people and inspires the next generation of astronomers to join our field,” said Zellem.

Related Terms

• Exoplanet Detection Methods
• Exoplanet Science
• Exoplanet Transits
• Science Activation
• Studying Exoplanets

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