The Blender Solar System

Why create the solar system in Blender?  It is part of the 8th grade Science Standards.

Earth in the Solar System (Earth Sciences)
  1. The structure and composition of the universe can be learned from studying stars and galaxies and their evolution. As a basis for understanding this concept:  
    1. Students know galaxies are clusters of billions of stars and may have different shapes.
    2. Students know that the Sun is one of many stars in the Milky Way galaxy and that stars may differ in size, temperature, and color.
    3. Students know how to use astronomical units and light years as measures of distances between the Sun, stars, and Earth.
    4. Students know that stars are the source of light for all bright objects in outer space and that the Moon and planets shine by reflected sunlight, not by their own light.
    5. Students know the appearance, general composition, relative position and size, and motion of objects in the solar system, including planets, planetary satellites, comets, and asteroids.

California State Board of Education 2007

 

To complete the assignment of creating the solar system you will have to go through the following lessons.  When you get stuck reread the directions and try to figure out where you made a mistake.  The teacher likes you to find your own solutions.

Discover Information about the Solar System  (Written Assignment)

1.  Achieving fast rendering times.

2.  Setting up the stars in the background.

3.  Laying out the Planets

4.  Coloring the Planets

 

 

Final Project will look something like this: