The idea
What? a 1:1,000,000,000 scale model of the solar system - Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Pluto both in terms of model size and relative distances between each model. eg Sun is 1.4m in size where the earth is 1.3cm and a distance of 150m.
When? 9 & 10 or 16 & 17 March 2024 which is British Science Week
Where? From Tynemouth to St Mary's lighthouse, Whitely bay https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1vTu_n6pEU5eOddeMkOKU4_AqKmJXMm4&usp=sharing
Who? local team assembled combined with international expertise from similar schemes who have already guided and donated materials. Lead by David Majarich, local resident in North Shields.
How? project underway with some models sourced and outline designs for information boards (including braille), sustainable materials and tapping into Astronomy clubs to provide volunteers on each day.
What we'll deliver
- 2 day display of the scaled solar system between St Marys Lighthouse Whitely Bay and Front St Tynemouth
- a 5.9km active travel experience of walking the solar system equivalent to 5.9 billion kms
- scale models of the sun and nine planets, information boards and volunteers providing insight into each planet
Why it's a great idea
It is a challenge to express how small we really are in terms of our size and location in the solar system. Most depictions show the solar system on a page or in one model that you can look at in one glance, however either the size or the distance between the sun and planets will be incorrect.
In this collaboration of arts, science and education - a scale of 1 to 1 billion eg the sun is 1.4m in diameter, the earth is 1.3cm with a distance of 150m between them! Visually, you are looking at a sun the size twice the size of a beach ball and the earth the size of a marble - separated by one and half football pitches.
Using local artists and materials, schools and societies - this concept aims to bring together the community to bring to life our part however small in the solar system.
Steps to get it done
- 01/01/2024 to 31/01/2024 Model build + content generation
- 01/02/2024 to 29/02/2024 Event plan finalise
- 01/03/2024 to 15/03/2024 Final model build, volunteer briefing, testing
- 16/03/2024 to 17/03/2024 British Science Week (event days)
- 18/03/2024 to 17/04/2024 post evaluation, debrief
Introduction video: https://youtu.be/he6Sz9HBcrk?feature=shared
Initial meeting held with North Tyneside Council (Steve Bishop, head of Culture and Tom Wilson Head of Events) to pitch the idea - outline support in principle received from NTC. Follow up in January.
