Vol. 19, No. 21

Feb. 24, 2000

Campus markers portray
vastness of solar system

Take a stargazing astrophysicist, add a space-inspired museum director, combine with a talented sculptor and designer–and the result is an artistic, educational and innovative salute to the solar system on the UD campus. Physicist Harry Shipman, museum director Belena Chapp and exhibition designer and sculptor David Meyer combined their mutual interest in space and talents in their respective fields to recreate the solar system across the campus with granite markers representing the sun and the planets. The permanent installation is anchored by the sun at the historic center of the University near Old College. In an accurate reduced scale of distance, Mercury leads off the sequence of planets since it is nearest the sun. Its marker is located in front of Recitation Hall. The most far-out planet Pluto is located near the Fred Rust Ice Arena. The impetus for the permanent, outdoor display came from the University Gallery and Mineralogical Museum fall exhibition, “One Small Step: Exploring America’s Adventures in Space,1959-1999,” Chapp said. She and Meyer both coordinated the exhibit, which looked at the scientific and technological aspects of space exploration; its effect on the visual and literary arts and Delaware’s contributions to the space program. They later joined forces with Shipman to develop a lasting space exhibit. “Science and art came together to create a permanent educational and aesthetic commemoration of “One Small Step,” with this installation,” Chapp said. “Recreating the solar system on campus has been a long-term goal of mine,” Shipman said. “In my teaching, I used walnuts, soccer balls–whatever was handy–to demonstrate the solar system, but this is far more graphic and dramatic. The Delaware standards for elementary school-aged children include learning about space, and this is an excellent educational tool and allows students of all ages to conceptualize the solar system. We are one of the few schools to have created an outdoor solar system, and no one has done it more effectively or accurately.” The granite markers representing the sun and each of the planets are placed to represent the actual distances of each planet from the sun and each other. The relative size of the planet is carved into the marker. Pluto, the smallest planet, for example, is represented by an indentation the size of a poppy seed. “Accuracy was one of our main goals. The exhibition is used by elementary school children, and they quickly latch on to any discrepancies,” Shipman said. “We did not line the planets up in a row because that is not how the solar system functions, so Mercury is near Recitation Hall and Neptune is west of Worrilow Hall.” “Child ren really get a concept of the vastness of space from the campus solar system installation,” Chapp said. “When we stand near the Mars marker at the top of the Mall on Main Street, I point out where Earth is, near McDowell Hall, and tell them that the moon is only three inches from Earth on our campus scale. The lesson is driven home and the students begin to grasp the concept of the huge distances between the planets in the solar system.” The granite markers also are inscribed with information about each planet. For example, Saturn, located near the library, is depicted with its ring system. Its diameter of 116,464 km., and its distance from the sun of 1,426.7 km. are carved on the marker. The etched text informs viewers that Saturn is the “sixth planet from the Sun. Second largest planet, gas giant with spectacular ring system. Atmosphere of hydrogen, helium, ammonia and methane. many small satellites. Titan (its largest satellite) has a nitrogen and methane atmosphere.” Also included on each marker is information on adjacent planets and where they are located on campus. “The granite markers are aesthetic as well as informational,” Chapp said, “and we were fortunate to have David Meyer working on the project.” Meyer also has designed the memorial for those killed in the Oklahoma City bomb explosion and a monument to the 38 tribal governments of Native Americans. He chose black granite, which is quarried in Canada, for both these and the UD projects. A firm in Minnesota cut the granite, which was then taken to Vermont for carving, using a computer and laser. The project was funded in part by a National Science Foundation education grant and the University. “The administration was very supportive,” Shipman said. “Our goal was not to disrupt the overall appearance of the campus, but to integrate the installation into the landscape. Tom Taylor and his group were essential to the project, anchoring the markers in concrete footers and placing pavers around them. Many people from across the University came together to contribute to making this project a success.” –Sue Moncure