The Latin word for sun, ‘Sol’, has found its place in the scientific lexicon. It is most commonly used in the context of planetary science, specifically in relation to the time it takes for Mars to rotate once on its axis – this is known as a “Martian sol.”

A sol is approximately 24.6 Earth hours, slightly longer than our familiar 24-hour day. Though this difference may seem minor, it adds up over time. Understanding this concept can help students comprehend how time and calendar systems would change if humans were to live on another planet.

To begin teaching the concept of sol, it’s beneficial to start with basic understanding of how our planet’s rotation defines a day. It takes Earth approximately 24 hours to complete one full rotation on its axis, resulting in our day/night cycle. Just like Earth, other planets have their own unique rotation periods. For instance, a day on Mars (a sol) is a little bit longer than a day on Earth.

To illustrate this concept further, have students imagine they’ve been transported to Mars and need to engage with ‘Martian Time’. By using an online “Mars clock”, students can visualize how Martian days differ from Earth days and experience firsthand how that difference accumulates.

Practical exercises like tracking Martian weather patterns over several sols using real data from Mars rovers can also be highly effective. This not only reinforces their understanding of sols but also helps them grasp how scientists use data from other planets in their research.

Teaching about ‘sol’ offers an ideal opportunity to incorporate interdisciplinary education into your curriculum by combining science with cultural learning. Students can also explore historical perspectives of how humanity’s understanding of time has evolved throughout the millennia.

In summary, teaching the concept of ‘Sol’ presents an excellent opportunity to foster scientific curiosity and cross-disciplinary learning among students. Not only does it enhance their knowledge about Mars specifically and space exploration generally, it helps them appreciate the inherent relativity of fundamental concepts like time that we so often take for granted on Earth.