The Sun
This model of the
Sun is in the south entryway of the museum. It extends from the first
floor to the second floor. The sun is part of a 40-mile long scale model
of the solar system, at a scale of 1 mile equaling the distance from earth
to sun. The model extends along Route 1, between the University of Maine
at Presque Isle campus and the Houlton Information Center at the end of
I-95. The model has ten major components, those being the sun and the
nine planets from Mercury to Pluto, with moons for Earth, Saturn, Jupiter
(4) and Pluto.
The model
serves as an educational resource and tourist attraction. It would also
draw attention to northern Maine, the university at Presque Isle, and
the Northern Maine Museum of Science located there. All planets except
Pluto are visible from the road. The small models are mounted on tall
- ten foot high above ground level - posts.
Here, Museum
Director Kevin McCartney demonstrates the size of the Sun model. For more
information see: