The following is a checklist of things you need to include in your report. Remember that these are the basics, and it will be important to include additional information to make your report complete.

Check that your grammar, spelling, and punctuation are correct. Make sure to use complete sentences and write neatly! Define any technical terms that you use. Proofread your report for errors before you hand it in -- do not hand in a rough draft.

1) The Planet's Name: What does its name mean? Many planets were named after mythological Gods.
6 pts.

2) Position in the Solar System: Where is your planet located (for example, Mars in the fourth planet from the Sun)? How far from the Sun does it orbit. Is its orbit unusual?
6 pts.

3) Rotation on its Axis: How long does it take for your planet to rotate on its own axis? (This is one day on your planet.)
6 pts.

4) Size: How big is your planet? How does it rate in terms of the other planets in terms of size (is it the biggest, the smallest)? What is your planet's mass?
6 pts.

5) Gravity: What is the force of gravity at the surface of your planet? For example, what would a 100-pound person weigh on that planet?
6 pts.

6) Orbit: How long does it take for your planet to orbit the Sun? (This is one year on your planet.)
6 pts.

7) Atmosphere: What is the composition of the atmosphere of your planet? Is it a thick or a thin atmosphere?
6 pts.

8) Temperature: What is the temperature range your planet? How does this compare to the temperature on Earth?
6 pts.

9) Composition of Your Planet and its Appearance: What type of planet is it (is it rocky or a gas giant)? What is its internal composition? What does your planet look like?
6 pts.

10) Moons: If there are moons orbiting your planet, describe them and when they were discovered.
6 pts.

11) Rings: If there are rings orbiting your planet, describe them and when they were discovered.
6 pts.

12) How Would a Human Being Fare on Your Planet: On your planet, would a person choke in the atmosphere, be squashed by the extreme gravity, float with ease, freeze, burn up, or something else? How old would you be in earth years on your planet? How much would you weigh? Visit Web School Science to find out.
6 pts.

13) Discovery of Your Planet: The planets that are not visible using the naked eye were discovered after the invention of the telescope (these are Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto). Tell when your planet was discovered and by whom.
6 pts.

14) Pictures of Your Planet: Include at least 2 or 3 different pictures of something relating to your planet, moons, rings, craters, the planet itself..
6 pts.

15) Something Special: This has to be in your own words, and at least 2 paragraphs in length. Is there anything special about your planet? This can often be the best part of the report, taking you off on interesting topics. For example, are there 100-year-long storms on your planet? Are there giant volcanos? Does your planet have a very tilted axis (giving it extreme seasons)? Have spacecraft visited your planet? If so, what have they discovered? Is your planet in an orbital resonance with another body?
16 pts.