I set my alarm today for the first day in ages.  I got around 4:30 to watch the lunar eclipse.  It was pretty cool.  Even got a "wow" out of me before any coffee.  I was also excited because this was the day we did our solar system project.  It came straight out of the Apologia Astronomy book.  I found a file on the yahoo group that talked about using feet to spread out the planets.  We cut that down to inches and still used over 98 feet of our driveway.  Here are some pictures of our project. 

the white rags under the balloons are simply so the concrete didn't pop the balloon.  It was great fun, even my son ran to get ready for school.  We made it the first subject since it looked like rain. 

Here is the sun (yellow), mercury, venus, earth and mars.  While the planets were not in correct proportion, the spacing between them was.

Here is my son using Dad's measuring wheel to measure out the inches.  (sorry the mess behind him is remnents of our remodel, the blue thing is the trash trailer my hubby uses for work.  Can you say Fema tarp) - shirts are optional for him until winter, at least at school. 

Here's the view looking back from "pluto"  back towards the sun.  The sun was at the shed.  Okay, I know technically pluto is not a planet anymore, but I just couldn't leave it out there all by itself. 

Here is my son posing with his Astronomy book.  There was no smile because he was ready to demolish the solar system using his BB gun. 

That was our science for the day.  My pictures of the eclipse are on the other camera and look like alien spacecraft zipping around since I have no tripod.  I hope you a great time exploring the solar system with us.  Please exit the craft in an  orderly fashion.  May you live long and prosper. 

(I either need a nap or coffee)