Blue Marble Matches
Blue Marble Matches
Activity Overview
This activity helps learners understand and conduct planetary comparisons by:
- Introducing learners to geologic processes on Earth (wind, water, volcanics and impact processes) and
- Modeling how scientists use Earth to gain a better understanding of processes shaping the surfaces of other rocky bodies in our solar system.
Learners develop criteria to identify geologic features (and therefore processes) using astronaut images of Earth and then apply those criteria to remote sensing imagery showing features on other planetary worlds.
Activity Scope
• Grades 5-12+ • Ages 10-17 • Full Activity 3+ Hours
• Adaptations for Informal Use < 1 hour
• Adaptations for Informal Use < 1 hour
Relevant Topics
Geologic processes, Earth, Moon, Mars & other planets
Adaptations for Informal Use
If using this activity or activity resources as part of an informal learning environment consider the following adaptation which can be completed in ~15-30+ minutes (depending on your discussion time and how many planetary worlds you use):
- Print the resources listed under the image on the right.
- Have participants do the following:
- Start with the Earth Image Cards (with samples for each process) and place them under the correct geologic process category on the Planetary Comparison Grid. [3 images under wind, water & volcanics & 2 images under the impact categories.]
- Place "key word cards" under the images with features the key words best describe/represent.
- Discuss the Earth images and the "key word cards" with your participants.
- Provide participants with a set of planetary cards. Have them place those cards in the bottom part of the Planetary Comparison Grid. Have participants use "criteria cards" to write down the key words (use words from the "key word cards") that help them support their identification of the main/central feature in the image. [Note: There is not an "even" # of images per category. You may run out of space on the grid for a given process, or not include any images for a particular process, depending on the planetary world.]
- Repeat this process with other planetary images as you wish.
This is one adaptation you may consider using with your audiences. There are likely many other ways to utilize the resources included as part of this activity. Feel free to made additional adaptations as necessary to fit the needs of your learning environment.
Print & use the following resources: (available for download below)
- Planetary Comparison Grid poster (24" X 24")
- Earth Image Cards with Samples for each process [cut into 8 individual cards]
- Key Word Cards [cut into individual cards - use either the color version or the white background version of these cards]
- Criteria Cards [cut up into individual cards]
- Planetary cards (it is recommended to start with Mars, but you can use whichever planetary world you wish) [cut into individual cards]
Activity Resources
Earth Explore Cards
PDF • 361 KB
Earth Review Images
PDF • 1.2 MB
Earth Feature Cards
PDF • 1.4 MB
Mars Feature Cards
PDF • 1.6 MB
Moon Feature Cards
PDF • 1.4 MB
Moon LRO Feature Cards
PDF • 2.3 MB
Pluto Feature Cards
PDF • 1.2 MB
Mercury Feature Cards
PDF • 2.0 MB
Venus Feature Cards
PDF • 1.5 MB
Jovian Moons Feature Cards
PDF • 3.0 MB
Additional Resources
Quick Reference Sheet
PDF • 303 KB
Background Information Outline
PDF • 49 KB
Research Planning
PDF • 41 KB
Key Word Cards
for use with informal adaptation
PDF • 73 KB
Criteria Cards
for use with informal adaptation;
alternative to Part 4 student worksheet
alternative to Part 4 student worksheet
PDF • 63 KB
Sample of Earth Images
for use with informal adaptation
PDF • 505 KB
Planetary Comparison Grid
for use with informal adaptation
PDF • 100 KB
Feature Charts / Interactive Display
Click on individual squares to view additional information about each image. Earth images are found on
The Gateway To Astronaut Photography website and the planetary images come from a variety of sources.
The Gateway To Astronaut Photography website and the planetary images come from a variety of sources.
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