GAPS :: deutsche Version | English version:: Planet Trail

Global Astronomical-Project for Schools

Students of the Astronomy Club at the Birkenfeld Grammar School initiated and designed a Planet Trail in Nonnweiler. Since the opening in 1996, numerous tourists and school classes have visited it.
The Planet Trail represents a model of our solar system on a scale of 1: 1 billion. The nine greater planets, the sun and our moon are presented on the same scale, as well as their average distances from each other. Thus, this model conveys a tangible idea of the relative sizes and distances in our solar system.
The special presentation of the planets makes this trail unique among all other planet trails.
The Planet Trail begins with a large sign ( 2nd photograph) which explains the meaning of the trail to the visitor. It also contains general information on the solar system.

Beside this sign there is a model of the sun. It consists of a yellow plastic sphere ( 1.40 m. diameter) with two semicircular information signs. One contains physical data about the sun, the other a consecutive text with easily understandable information.

The photographs show the general layout of each planet station.

The main part consists of three semicircles (70 cm. diameter), arranged at an angle of 120° to each other. In the central gap the metal planet model is suspended on thin steel wires or rods. The semicircle on the left contains the physical data of the planet, the one on the right a consecutive text. The third semicircle shows a colour photo of the planet itself, or one of its moons. The signs are of black aluminium alloy, the texts are light against this background.
The students developed this presentation form for the planet stations after many hours of deliberation. The three semicircles represent the heavens, in the centre of which the planet hovers.
The wording for each text side for the planets caused the students some difficulty, but was, at the same time, instructive. To this end, the students were divided into groups. Each group then had to seek the most interesting information from books on astronomy about their planet, and summarize this in 120 words. They also had to gather the physical data of each planet and place them on the sign. Together with the sign at the beginning of the Planet Trail, a small book of 40 pages on the solar system emerged. To read it, however, the visitor has to walk 4 miles, from the model of the sun to the Pluto station.
The Planet Trail was constructed along the trail around the Primstal Reservoir in Nonnweiler.
( Nonnweiler is about 13 miles away from our school, and lies in the north of The Sarre). The whole trail is 8 miles long, and the Planet Trail ends halfway. The trail, however, is in attractive countryside, which encourages the rambler to continue back to the starting point.
The students of the Astronomy Club of the Birkenfeld Grammar School are deeply indebted to the constructors of the Planet Trail : Talsperrenverband Nonnweiler (the owners of the reservoir) and the District Council of Nonnweiler.

Link photogalery