STEM in the Stars
Space Measurements
In space, distances are often measured in "astronomical units" (AU). One astronomical unit is the average distance from the Earth to the Sun, which is about 93 million miles! This helps us understand how far apart planets are in our solar system. For example, Mercury is only about 0.39 AU from the Sun, while Neptune is about 30 AU away. When we compare the sizes of planets, Earth is the third planet from the Sun and has a diameter of about 8,000 miles. Jupiter, the largest planet, is huge—about 11 times wider than Earth! This means you could fit over 1,300 Earths inside Jupiter! Understanding these distances and sizes helps us appreciate just how big our solar system really is.
Measuring Light in Space
In space, light and distance are measured using special units. One common unit for distance is the "light-year," which is how far light travels in one year. Light moves super fast, about 186,000 miles per second! This means a light-year is about 5.88 trillion miles! Astronomers use this measurement to understand how far away stars and galaxies are. To measure light, they often look at how bright an object appears from Earth and compare it to its actual brightness. By using these methods, scientists can learn more about the universe and its amazing distances!
Space Nutrition
Nutrition is just as important in outer space as it is on Earth! To stay healthy, it's important to eat a variety of nutrients and vitamins every day. Carbohydrates give us energy, and proteins help our bodies grow and repair. Healthy fats are good for our brains and help us absorb vitamins. We also need fiber for digestion and plenty of water to stay hydrated. Vitamins like A, C, and D support our immune system and keep our skin and bones strong. Eating foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins helps us get the nutrients we need!