How far apart?
To see for yourself how far apart Earth and the moon are, try this:
Materials
- Basketball
- Tennis ball
- Measuring tape
*If Earth was the size of a basketball, the moon would be the size of a tennis ball. This can give you an idea of how they compare.
Directions
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- Place the basketball on the ground. This represents Earth.
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- Use the measuring tape to find a spot 23 feet 9 inches away from the middle of the basketball. Place the tennis ball there. The tennis ball is the moon.
- Are the basketball Earth and tennis ball moon farther apart than you expected? Take a picture and show your friends and family how far apart the moon and Earth really are.
Extra!
Use nearby objects to remember how far 23 feet 9 inches is from the basketball. Ask others to place the tennis ball where they think the moon is.
They will be very surprised when you show them how far away it needs to be!
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