Astronomy and Space Program Links We have entered an age only dreamed about just a few short years ago.
Probes from NASA, ESA - European Space Agency, Russia and Japan are exploring the Moon, Mars, asteroids and comets and the outer Solar System with a fleet of probes and robots. The Mars Rovers Spirit and Opportunity landing in January of 2004, have now surpassed an entire Martian year as of November 2005, well beyond their original 3 month mission. They have now experienced all of what Mars has to offer as seasons. A new Mars orbiter is on its way, as is a new similar expedition to the planet Venus. I encourage you to Explore on your own some of the great sites covering what Space Programs around the world are accomplishing. The links here are just an introduction to what you can find. They just happen to be some of my favorites. Apollo Astronauts narrate "Nasa's vision for Space Exploration" Watch Mars Exloration Rover Mission Videos Explore the technological Marvels in NASA's Video naration of our Mission to the Red Planet ~ The Challenges of getting to Mars |
Space news sites
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Fun & Interactive sites
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Image & Video Galleries
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You can also see "Mars Pic of the Day" here!Browse through images sent from Mars
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SUN and PLANETS |
Diameter (km) |
scale size |
sample sized object |
orbit rad (millions km) |
scale orbit distance |
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Sun |
1,391,900 |
216 " |
18 foot sphere |
NA |
NA |
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Mercury |
4866 |
0.75 " |
U.S. dime |
58 |
750 ft |
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Venus |
12,106 |
1.88 " |
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108 |
0.26 mile |
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Earth |
12,742 |
1.98 " |
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150 |
0.37 mi |
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Mars |
6760 |
1.05 " |
US Quarter |
228 |
0.56 mi |
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Jupiter |
139,516 |
21.65 " |
beachball |
778 |
1.9 mi |
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Saturn |
116,438 |
18.07 " |
Schlitz clock |
1427 |
3.5 mi |
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Uranus |
46,940 |
7.28 " |
salad plate |
2870 |
7.03 mi |
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Neptune |
45,432 |
7.05 " |
salad plate |
4499 |
11.02 mi |
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Pluto |
2274 |
0.352 " |
watch battery |
5913 |
14.48 mi |
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Sedna |
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smaller |
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Betelgeuse |
red giant |
6750 ft |
1 1/3 mile |
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White Dwarf |
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2" |
golf ball |
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Neutron Star |
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0.0031" |
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Hot Stars |
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160 ft |
50 yards |
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Cool Stars |
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3 ft |
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