Worksheet: How Big is Big? Exploring the Scale of the Universe
Name: ___________________________
Date: ___________________
Website: https://scaleofuniverse.com/en > Click on Start Exploring
Instructions: Work individually or in pairs to explore the simulation on this website.
Complete the tasks below in order.
� Part 1: Predict before opening website
1. What do you think is the smallest thing in the universe? → __________________________________
2. What do you think is the largest thing in the universe? → ____________________________________
� Part 2: Explore & Discover
Use the slider to zoom in and out. Click on at least 6 different objects and observe their size
and details. Do not forget to write the units of measure
3. List 3 of the smallest things you found:
a) ____________________________ (Size: __________________________)
b) ____________________________ (Size: __________________________)
c) ____________________________ (Size: _________________________)
4. List 3 of the largest things you found:
a) ____________________________ (Size: ________________________)
b) ____________________________ (Size: ________________________)
c) ____________________________ (Size: ________________________)
� Part 3: Surprising Comparisons
5. Compare items to each other some which may surprise you!
Which animals are significantly larger than a human that you may not have known before?
→ ______________________________________________________
How much larger smaller is the length of the Great Wall of China to the Pluto?
→ ______________________________________________________
6. Choose one object smaller than a human and one larger than Earth. Write one sentence
comparing each to something familiar.
a) Smaller than a human:
____________________________________ is so small, it’s about the size of _________________________.
b) Larger than Earth:
____________________________________ is so large, it could hold _________________________ inside it.
� Part 4: Reflect & Wonder
7. How does using this simulation help you understand the size of things better than a
diagram or textbook?
→ ______________________________________________________
8. What is one question you now have about space or size?
→ ______________________________________________________
Part 5: Drawing
Now that we have reviewed the 8 planets yesterday and scale today, draw a sketch of the
sun and the 8 planets below to scale to the best of your ability. ONLY AFTER you complete
the drawing, on the same website go to “Resources” and watch the video “To Scale: The
Solar System” to self-assess your drawing.