MadSci Network: Astronomy |
To Whom It May Concern: I ran some ratio and proportions in a spread sheet and suggest the following fruits for planet models. Scale diameters are given so you can take a caliper (ask the shop teacher) to the market. Sun - giant, prize-winning pumpkin, 75 inches Mercury- one pea, 1/4 inch Venus & Earth - small radish, 2/3 inch Moon - small pea, 1/5 inch Mars - large pea, 1/3 inch Jupiter - cantaloupe, 8 inches Saturn - large grapefruit, 6 1/2 inches Uranus - good sized peach, 2 3/4 inches Neptune - smaller peach, 2 2/3 inches Pluto - one drupelet of a raspberry, 1/8 inch Consumer warning label: This model of the solar system is good to eat. However, under no circumstances should you put real planets in your mouth for any reason. J. S. Foerch Veen Observatory Lowell, Michigan USA
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