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Old 02-09-2007, 01:30 AM
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Gargoyle_Steve (Steve)
Space Explorer

Gargoyle_Steve is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Caloundra, Sunshine Coast, Australia
Posts: 1,571
There is a fairly "common" scale in use in many public solar system models that shows both relative size and distance of the various bodies - it is sometimes called the "Thousand Yard" or "Half Mile" model due to it's approximate size.

It was deliberately scaled such that the relative size was large enough that all objects, from the smallest to largest, could be easily represented by common items that are familiar enough to people that the reative sizes are immediately apparent, ie peppercorn, pea, golf ball, bowling ball.
The scale is however small enough that the distance between Sun and Pluto is walkable, in order that people can gain a true appreciation of the variations, and total distances involved.

At the chosen scale the Sun is approximately 8 inches across, ie bowling ball sized, Mercury & Pluto are represented by the head of a pin, Earth is a peppercorn, etc. I can't provide any links at present (not on open access to net at present) but you'll find info easy enough if you google it.

There' a great location near here where I'd love to see the local council / schools get involved and set this kind of thing up - along the local "major road" which runs dead for well over the required distance, happens to pass schools, sports fields, etc.

This project could even have leeway for some businesses (if they're at exactly the right distance) to "adopt" the planet outside their premises (or maybe protect it by having it permanently displayed in their front window??) by helping sponsor the project. I'm trying to talk to someone in local Council about it at present to see if it can get off the ground.
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