![\"astrophotography0\"](\"http:\/\/www.brannan.net\/solar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/astrophotography0.jpg\")
<\/a>Visiting the planet\u00a0locations in this scale model is only the beginning!\u00a0 There are a variety of activities to be had, from camping, hiking, picnicking, and the usual outdoor stuff.\u00a0 Stay overnight, and bring your telescope – Grouse Ridge is an excellent observing spot!\u00a0 Make it an adventure, in the Geocaching spirit!\u00a0 Plan ahead, and make your own planets!<\/p>\nBelow are some tips, tricks, and a few links to get you started.\u00a0 Please feel free to share your own experiences, as well!<\/p>\n
If you only visit one planet, visit Earth!<\/h2>\n
The Geocache of Earth, like all in this series, has an object in the container which represents the scale size of the planet.\u00a0 This particular case is unique: Earth has its moon tethered to it.\u00a0 The dimensions are a bit of a surprise to most people.\u00a0 When visualizing the distance between Earth and Moon, folks tend to think of the moon as much closer than is actually is.<\/p>\n
For a really good time, try this: Have someone hold up the moon at the end of its 4 feet of string, while you hold Earth next to your head. If you move around a bit, you will find that the Moon is similar in size to the lookout building nearly 1,500 feet away.\u00a0\u00a0 Very similar in size.<\/p>\n
Why is this?\u00a0 Well, the proportions of Sun and Moon in the Solar Model and that of the actual Sun and Moon are the same.\u00a0 It would make sense, then, that the scale objects, like the real ones, are both almost exactly 0.5 degrees of arc in your field of view.<\/p>\n
In fact, if you move around a bit and get the moon in the right spot, you can “eclipse” the Lookout – it will cover the building almost perfectly!<\/p>\n