Planets & Moons

Season 03

Episode 01

Duration 23:02

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Bill Nye Explores our Solar System

Our Solar System is full of wonders! In this episode of Bill Nye the Science Guy, Bill takes us on an interplanetary journey to explore the planets, their moons, and the forces that keep them in motion.

What Makes a Planet or a Moon?

Planets and moons come in all shapes and sizes. Bill explains the difference between rocky planets like Earth and Mars and gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn. He also explores what makes a moon different from a planet, highlighting how they orbit their parent planets instead of the Sun.

One of the key factors in planetary motion is gravity. Bill demonstrates how this invisible force keeps planets in orbit and why moons don’t just float away into space. He also discusses how the Moon affects Earth’s tides, pulling the ocean with its gravity.

Experiments and Demonstrations

Bill Nye brings planetary science to life with hands-on experiments. He uses an orbit simulation to show how gravity keeps planets moving around the Sun. A moon phases demonstration helps explain why the Moon appears to change shape throughout the month.

Another cool experiment compares the sizes of planets using common household objects, helping to visualize the differences between small, rocky worlds and massive gas giants. Bill also explores how the Moon’s gravitational pull affects Earth’s oceans, creating tides that rise and fall daily.

The Solar System in Action

Planets and moons are constantly in motion, and their interactions shape our universe. Bill Nye takes a look at how planets form, why some moons have volcanoes and ice, and how scientists study distant worlds using telescopes and space probes.

From the rings of Saturn to the largest volcano in the Solar System on Mars, this episode dives into the most exciting planetary discoveries. Bill also touches on space exploration, explaining how astronauts study the Moon and what future missions might uncover about distant planets.

Scientific Adjustment

Since this episode first aired, scientists have made amazing discoveries about planets and moons. The Pluto debate led to its reclassification as a dwarf planet in 2006. NASA’s rovers and probes have found evidence of water on Mars and ice on moons like Europa and Enceladus, hinting at the possibility of extraterrestrial life. The James Webb Space Telescope is now helping us see planets outside our Solar System like never before!

Planets and Moons

Based on Bill Nye the Science Guy · Season 3, Episode 1 · 23 min

We see diagrams of the solar system showing planets lined up nicely next to each other. But outer space is mostly just empty space! How far apart are these worlds?

Step 1 of 6 · Engage

Engage

How Big is Space, Really?

Explore

Put Your Instincts to the Test

Think about what you already know about space. Pick an answer for each question, then see if your instincts were right.

Are planetary orbits perfect circles?

Why do planets and moons shine in the night sky?

Why is Mars famously known as the "Red Planet"?

Explain

Understanding the Science

Tap each card to reveal the secrets of our solar system's orbits, gravity, and the different types of worlds out there.

Key Concepts

Try It: Gravity and Orbits

Move the sun, Earth, moon, and space station to see how their masses and distances affect their gravitational forces and orbital paths.

Simulation by PhET Interactive Simulations, University of Colorado Boulder. Licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

Elaborate

Apply Your Knowledge

Now let us see if you can connect what you have learned to the real world.

Match the Concepts

Click an object to select it, then click the matching description to place it.

Items

Jupiter

Mars

Asteroid

Moon

A massive, cold outer gas giant

An inner rocky planet covered in iron oxide

A chunk of rock and metal floating in space

A natural satellite that orbits a planet

Real-World Challenge

You are designing a robotic space probe to travel to the outer planets. Because orbits are ellipses, planets travel at different speeds depending on how close they are to the sun. Furthermore, they are moving across distances of millions of kilometres. How would you plan your trip to make sure the target planet is actually there when your space probe finally arrives?

Science Update

What Has Changed Since This Episode Aired

This episode of Bill Nye the Science Guy first aired in the mid-1990s. While the core science of orbits and gravity remains perfectly accurate, modern astronomy has made some incredible discoveries since then!

Evaluate

Test Your Understanding

Answer these questions and get instant feedback. How many can you get right?

Reflection

Think about how massive the distances in space are compared to the sizes of the planets. How does knowing the true scale of the solar system change the way you look up at the stars and planets in the night sky?

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Planets & Moons

Bill Nye Explores our Solar System

What Makes a Planet or a Moon?

Experiments and Demonstrations

The Solar System in Action

Scientific Adjustment

More Seriously Scientific Links

Bill Nye The Science Guy

Season 1 (20 episodes)

Season 2 (20 episodes)

Season 3 (21 episodes)

Season 4 (19 episodes)

Season 5 (20 episodes)

Episode Discussion

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Planets and Moons

How Big is Space, Really?

Put Your Instincts to the Test

Understanding the Science

Key Concepts

Gravity

Anti-Clockwise Motion

Changing Speeds

Inner Rocky Planets

Outer Gas Giants

Asteroids

Moons

Exoplanets