Scale Solar System Model #3: Earth Traditional Cache
CatsOnCoasters: Now longer a good spot for a cache here
Scale Solar System Model #3: Earth
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Terrain:
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Much like the real earth, the location of this cache can tend to be filled with people. Stealth may be required if caching during business hours. When replacing please be sure the earth, moon, and string are all safely under the lamp post skirt.
Find out how big our solar system really is as you complete this cache series. In this model the sun is represented by a large sculpture of a hand holding a zia symbol at Luz de Amistad Park near the corner of Tramway and Central. This Zia, a symbol for the sun, is about four meters in diameter. The distances of each planet to the sun and the diameter of each planet is to scale relative to the sun.
Earth, the third planet from the sun, is located about 430 meters from the sun in this scale model. Earth is slightly larger than Venus measuring 36 millimeters in diameter. A model of the moon is attached to the earth. At the scale of this model the moon is nine millimeters in diameter and located about a meter away from the earth.
Fun Facts:
If caching during the day at this distance the Zia sculpture will be the same size as sun is in the sky. If caching at night if you hold the moon at the full string distance away from your eye it will be the same size as the real moon in the sky. You can also simulate a solar eclipse by passing the moon at the full length of its string in front of the Zia sculpture.
The life supporting zone of earth, from deepest ocean trench to the highest mountain top, is far thinner than the layer of paint on the surface of this model. As you complete this series you may want to reflect on how small and fragile this thin shell of life is in the utter vastness of space, and thus how important it is to protect it.
Congratulations to Team TJ for FTF!
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)