1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:06,680
They say you learn something new every day, and I sure did.

2
00:00:06,680 --> 00:00:11,640
I'd never heard of transits before, and how astronomers and scientists use them to

3
00:00:11,640 --> 00:00:13,320
determine the astronomical unit.

4
00:00:13,320 --> 00:00:14,600
Thanks, Janet.

5
00:00:14,600 --> 00:00:18,840
Okay, guys, remember earlier in the program when I said I had an interesting challenge

6
00:00:18,840 --> 00:00:19,840
for you?

7
00:00:19,840 --> 00:00:23,240
Well, it's now time for scaling the solar system.

8
00:00:23,240 --> 00:00:29,540
Now, the astronomical unit, or AU, currently in use is derived from the average mean distance

9
00:00:29,540 --> 00:00:33,620
between the Earth and the Sun, which is approximately 93 million miles.

10
00:00:33,620 --> 00:00:40,260
Working in groups, your task is to make a proposal that uses the average mean distance

11
00:00:40,260 --> 00:00:45,900
between the Sun and another planet in our solar system as the basis for determining

12
00:00:45,900 --> 00:00:47,340
the astronomical unit.

13
00:00:47,340 --> 00:00:52,700
In other words, is there a better baseline distance to use rather than the Sun-Earth

14
00:00:52,700 --> 00:00:53,700
baseline?

15
00:00:53,700 --> 00:00:59,180
What about using a Sun-Jupiter baseline or a Sun-Pluto baseline?

16
00:00:59,220 --> 00:01:04,700
Once you choose another planet, you will have to recalculate the scale of the solar system

17
00:01:04,700 --> 00:01:10,660
using your new chosen baseline, and then explain why your new baseline is a better choice than

18
00:01:10,660 --> 00:01:11,660
the Sun-Earth baseline.

19
00:01:11,660 --> 00:01:16,060
What are the advantages and disadvantages to your new scale?

20
00:01:16,060 --> 00:01:22,020
Detailed instructions and tips on how to make your proposal can be located at the NASA Connect

21
00:01:22,020 --> 00:01:23,020
website.

22
00:01:23,020 --> 00:01:26,500
From the website, we encourage you to submit your proposal.

23
00:01:26,500 --> 00:01:30,020
Your proposal will be seen by millions of students across the country.

24
00:01:30,020 --> 00:01:31,380
We look forward to your submittals.