The temperature on Earth is just right for life to exist. If it was too hot or too cold it would not be habitable. The area around a star where life could exist is known as the habitable zone. It is also called the Goldilocks Zone! How hot or cold do you think the other planets in our Solar System are?
By the end of this activity you will:
- have estimated how hot or cold each planet in the Solar System is
- discovered how correct your guesses were
- thought about whether life could survive on each planet based on its temperature alone
To complete this resource you will need:
- a print-out of the temperature scale poster
- print outs of the planets (or you can use stickers or make your own labels)
- pins or sticky tape
Approx Duration
< 15 mins
Have a go!
Play pin the planet!
- Estimate how hot or cold you think each planet in our Solar System is
- Pin or stick each planet in the place you think it should go on the temperature scale
- When you have finished, check your answers using the answer sheet:
- What do you notice about the order of the planets?
- Is there anything that surprises you about the order?
- Based on the answers, which planets do you think are habitable?
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