Where, Oh Where Does That Little Planet Go?

Each of the nine planets orbits around the Sun in a very special way and in a very special place. Your job is to decide which planet goes into what orbit on the solar system map below. You may want to look back at the section on the planets to help you make your decisions. Each orbit pattern is numbered 1 through 9. The names of the planets are listed in the chart under the solar system map. Put the number of the orbit pattern that belongs to each planet in the box under the planet's name. After you have matched the planets with their orbits, check to see if each planet is in its right home.

For 20 of every 248 years, the planet with orbit number 8 is actually farther away from the Sun than the planet with orbit number 9! But don't let that confuse you!

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The StarChild site is a service of the High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center (HEASARC), Dr. Nicholas E. White (Director), within the Exploration of the Universe Division (EUD) at NASA/ GSFC.

StarChild Authors: The StarChild Team
StarChild Graphics & Music: Acknowledgments
StarChild Project Leader: Dr. Laura A. Whitlock
Responsible NASA Official:Phil Newman
If you have comments or questions about the StarChild site, please send them to starchild@heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov

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