Peoria, Illinois -
Scale Model of the Solar System

Scale Model of the Solar System

Starts at the Peoria planetarium, then radiates out through central Illinois. Roadsideamerica.com Report...

World's Largest Model of the Solar System

The model of Venus has moved from Barry's Barber Shop to Brown Printing at 609 W. Glen (it's about 2 shops over from Barry's). Also, now that Pluto has been downgraded to a dwarf planet, they've added other dwarf planets to the list: Ceres at Forest Park Nature Center, 5809 Forest Park, Peoria Heights and Eris at WIU, 47 Horrabin Hall, North Entrance,1 University Circle, Macomb. [Jeff Berger, 03/24/2007]

World's Largest Solar System Model

A novel concept, though too precise for a good photo opportunity. A 36 ft. diameter sun is painted on the planetarium dome at the Museum of Arts and Sciences -- and the other planets radiate out like a hydrogen bomb blast, placed in proper relative orbital distance throughout central Illinois.

At the location of each "planet," there is a kiosk or outdoor display of a molded Plexiglas sphere painted by artist Walter Kinsman. The museum's Kathleen Woith provided us some location detail: "The Earth is at Beachler's Amoco station on the busiest corner in Peoria just 3/4 of a mile from the Museum. The model of the Earth is just four inches wide. Others include Jupiter (3 ft. 9 inches with rings 76 inches) at Bradley University, 4 miles away; Uranus (1 ft. 4 in. with 32 in. rings) at Mineral Springs Park in Pekin, Il., 15 miles away; and the furthest, Pluto (3/4 inch) at Good's Furniture Store in Kewanee, IL, 40 miles away."

Kathleen notes, "You can pick up a brochure at the museum and travel the solar system, or take part in our annual Walk/Run or bicycle tour." [Roadside America Team, 02/22/2001]

[RA: We're certain our server is somewhere in the Oort Cloud.]