The Imaginative Sculpture, much larger than the scale planet, is designed to capture attention from afar, and convey some aspects of the planet Saturn. It consists of a 40-inch diameter sphere of laminated, milled limestone and marble. The sphere's coloration is predominantly buff, gold, and beige. Magnificent "rings" of stainless steel with round beveled edges and enamel infill surround the stone planet.
The Imaginative Sculpture is intended to be reflective of Saturn's striations and characteristic rings. The base is a concrete footing. Approximate height of the sphere is 54 inches. The sphere is directly attached to footing at ground. The Planet Scale Model is part of a unique planet orbital disk depicting the 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 infill. Both the Planet Scale Model and the Imaginative Sculpture are on concrete footings connected by a concrete arc with brass inset directional arrows and planet name. Ten "Great Question" plaques surround this site, and all the other sites, set at ground level.
The detail at right illustrates how the scale planet Saturn model appears on a metal surface angled to represent the planet's equatorial tilt. The Saturn model is a sphere of about 5 inches diameter intersected by the plate which is angled about 27 degrees from level, to illustrate Saturn's natural tilt. Saturn's rings are illustrated on the plate. The 3-inch Saturn is of course the correct scale size in relation to the 3-foot diameter Sun, which is 3075 feet away. The scale model planet rests atop a concrete pedestal with information and name plaques. 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 URANUS SITE
|
