The County 2017 | Aroostook County Tourism | Page 37

THE SOLAR SYSTEM & THE NIGHT SKY
UP HERE, THE NIGHT IS YOURS FOR THE TAKING.
One of the rewards for being so far away from the light pollution
of major cities is that The County is home to some of the
darkest night skies in the United States.
MAINE SOLAR SYSTEM MODEL
Aroostook County is home to the largest three-dimensional scale model of
the solar system in the world. Located along a 40-mile stretch of US Route 1,
between the University of Maine at Presque Isle campus and the Houlton
Information Center at the end of I-95, this unique project was built by UMPI’s
Northern Maine Museum of Science and dedicated in 2003. Built on a scale
of one mile representing the 93 million miles from the Earth to the sun, each
galactic replica is to scale and spaced at appropriate distances. The system includes
the sun, the nine planets from Mercury to Pluto, moons for Earth, Saturn,
Jupiter and Pluto, and three dwarf planets. Two models of Pluto recognize its
past status as a planet and its new status as a dwarf planet since 2006. *
Most of the three-dimensional models are mounted outdoors on 10-foot poles,
easily viewable by car. The sun is located inside Folsom-Pullen Hall at UMPI,
and the first Pluto is inside the Houlton Visitor Center. Travelers wishing
to stop for a selfie with their favorite planet can access the pullouts found at most
of the sites.
When weather permits, stargazers visiting The County are rewarded with a
crystal clear view of the many stars and constellations, many of the nearby
planets, meteors and meteor showers, as well as eclipses, the International
Space Station, and other deep-space objects visible from Earth. Those with
an abundance of luck might even be able to experience the eerie glow
of the Northern Lights.
WHEN TO SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS
The beauty of the North Lights, also called the Aurora Borealis, is almost
indescribable—shimmering waves of multi-color light in the night sky. The
phenomenon is caused by charged particles from the sun interacting with the
gases in the Earth’s upper atmosphere, making them glow.
As one of the nation’s top dark-sky resources, Aroostook County is a terrific
place to view the lights, which occur two or three times a year, usually in the
winter. News outlets often report when the lights might be active. Head away
from town, turn off your car lights, and raise your eyes to the sky.
For more information about stargazing in the region visit our website
or call Judy at 888-216-2463.
VisitAroostook.com
VisitAroostook.com
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