Peoria, Illinois: Scale 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.

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."