The imaginative sculpture, much larger than the scale planet, will capture the attention of passers-by on the sidewalk (note: the Rose Parade draws millions), while suggesting some aspects of our planet Earth. The sculpture consists of a 32-inch diameter sphere of cast blue glass with a core visible inside, and a bronze map of Pangea on its surface -- the continents not as we know them today, but as they were a hundred million years ago.
The sculpture's appearance is intended to be reflective of plate tectonics and liquid surface water, both of which distinguish our home planet from all the others. The imaginative sculpture's base is a cylindrical stainless steel stand inclined at the angle of our planet's polar axis. A sealed ball-bearing internal mechanism permits the sphere to be rotated manually, but only in a clockwise direction. Approximate height of the sphere is 4 feet 6 inches; the base is attached to a concrete footing. The planet scale model, which is situated atop the associated concrete pedestal, is part of a unique planet orbital disk, made of metal, depicting the Earth's equatorial plane and the scale model planet on the angle of its polar axis. The base supporting the planet scale model is a pre-cast, uniquely finished concrete pedestal, with informational insets and a title plaque in stainless steel, copper or brass, with etched enamel in-fill.
The detail at right illustrates how the scale Planet Earth model appears on its inclined metal surface. The scale model is a "bump" only 0.33 inch in diameter. The tiny size of the scale model planet is of course the correct scale size of Earth in relation to the 3-foot Sun which hovers 322 feet away. Also present on the pedestal is a unique souvenir rub-transfer icon which may be used in school projects and promotional activities to provide evidence of visit.
NEXT: VISIT THE PLANET MARS SITE
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The concrete footings of both the planet scale model and the imaginative sculpture are connected by a concrete arc walkway, with brass inset directional arrows, and the planet name. Ten "Great Question" plaques surround the site, set at ground level.