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Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Sunspot Solar System

The National Solar Observatory at Sunspot, New Mexico has set up a unique "solar system" on the Sunspot Highway, employing the fifteen miles between Cloudcroft and Sunspot to demonstrate the vast distances between planets in our solar system.  The inner planets are all very close to the observatory, and the outer planets (especially Neptune) are close to Cloudcroft.  This is a fabulous learning tool for children fascinated by science--even kids of my advanced age.



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3 comments:

Dr. K said...

These signs were educational for me, too.

August 7, 2012 at 7:03 PM
Scott said...

The Cleveland (Ohio) Metroparks set up a similar solar system model on a 2-mile walking trail in their Garfield Park Reservation. The far planets are so far away from the sun and the inner planets (as you observed) that it's almost a surprise when you come across their orbits after having walked a considerable distance.

August 8, 2012 at 8:33 AM
packrat said...

I've been very impressed by the Ohio Metroparks initiatives, Scott. The Mill Creek MetroParks (Youngstown and Mahoning County) system seems to be quite well managed.

http://www.millcreekmetroparks.org/

August 9, 2012 at 1:19 PM

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