We know that the planets in our solar system are arranged around the sun and without deflecting from their linear path they revolve around the Sun (which is at the center). In the same way placing ourselves as the Earth placed at the center, we can easily perceive relative motion of the planets that are visible in the sky above us, in reference to our own location. There are different online websites and mobile app applications using which we can understand the position of planets above us on a particular day, keeping us at a static location.
Here we are explaining a handy tool named, Sky Umbrella, using which we can understand the relative position of planets in reference to the location of the sun (placing the Sun at the center) and/or in reference to our own location (placing ourselves as Earth placed at the center).
This activity involves use of online websites & mobile app applications to see the position of planets on a particular day and replicating the position of planets in the ‘Sky umbrella’ using magnetic planet cards. This would help understand the position as well as direction of planets and their timely changes.
â— Umbrella,
â— Small magnets,
â— Iron Discs,
â— Planet cards (Cards bearing photo of sun and planets),
â— A hollow ball.
Stick the iron discs to the backside of the planet cards.
1- There are different websites and mobile apps that release the live/updated position of celestial bodies. We can refer these websites or mobile applications to see the position of our planets on a particular day.
2- Open the online site to see today's position of our planets.
3- Take the umbrella and on its outer pointed end fix the hollow ball (making a hole in it), considering it as the Sun at the center.
4- Now referring the outward sequence of planets from the sun, their direction and relative positions (as seen today in the online website or mobile app) arrange the planet cards on the sky umbrella
(Note - The size and respective distances of the Sun and planets are not according to scale)
5- Place the planet card on outer side of the umbrella and from inner side place the magnet so that through its magnetic force it sticks the iron disc of the planet card to a fix position. This way you can fix the planet cards on the umbrella according to their relative positions and direction from the sun.
6- Now taking yourself (at the earth) as the center, arrange the position of the Sun and planets on the sky umbrella.
7- Now referring the sky umbrella, draw the diagram of the relative positions of planets on a paper to keep the daily record.
8- By repeating the exercise continuously, you will have daily record of observations and diagrams in the record.
â— For each planet observe and record the direction of movement and relative positions from the Sun and from each other.
â— Find the linear (orbital) distance travelled by each planet in a period of time with the help of online website/mobile app.
â— Find the actual distance of the Planets around the sun and also from each other, with the help of online website/mobile app and mention that in the Sky Umbrella diagram that you prepare.
â— Compile the record in the way you find appropriate.
You can present your observations related to changing position of the planets relative to the Sun and relative to your position (placing you as the Earth at the center).
â— This activity helps in generating awareness about our solar system and positioning of the planets in it.
â— The exercise helps in learning proportional distance, direction, measurement and calculations based on observations.
â— Children can replicate the sky umbrella using local material and alternative ways of depiction of figures / diagrams
â— How do planets in our solar system maintain a linear path (without deflecting) around the Sun? Why don’t they deflect and change their positions and distances from the Sun as well as from each other randomly?
â— With the help of Sky Umbrella can you make arrangements of various constellations as they are seen in the sky?
â— There are various mythological facts related to the nature and effects of the planets. For example, the Saturn’s predicament, reprobation of the Mars etc. Is there any scientific basis of all these?
â— Does the celestial position of planets affect the life cycle or physical or mental status of a person?
