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22.07.06
Spaced Out is Designated a Site of Special Astronomical Interest
Read more ...
16.05.06
Spaced Out website re-populated after 'Big Crunch'!
Read more ...
30.01.07
Spaced Out UK to create major Show Garden at Tatton Park
Read more ...
31.05.07
Countdown continues for launch of Spaced Out show garden
Read more ...
04.07.07
Construction begins on Spaced Out show garden
Read more ...
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If
you've ever wanted to find out more about the SpacedOut
project, or if you're intregued by certain aspects of
it, the answers to your questions might be right here
(as well as a few unexpected, quirky facts!).
If your queries still remain unanswered, please
feel free to ask!
Where can I obtain a map showing all the sites in the project?
You can request a map in Microsoft Word format by sending an e-mail to spacedoutuk@postmaster.co.uk
We will be delighted to e-mail a map to you by return.
When will the project be completed?
At present (May 2006) 9 of the 18 proposed sites are in place. Funding issues have delayed recent progress but we are confident that 4 sites will be open during National Science Week (March) 2007 with the remaining sites open in Autumn 2007 (to coincide with the 50th Anniversary of our exploration of Space).
When will the Spaced Out website be fully populated?
The Spaced Out team are currently (May 2006) populating the website following the recent server's 'Big Crunch'.
More links, resources and wacky facts will be added as soon as possible.
Who has supplied the Resources?
All the resources have been kindly donated by Mickledore Publishing, the UK's leading publisher of educational resources specifically aimed at students and teachers of GCSE Astronomy and the Astronomy/Space Science content of KS2, KS3 and KS4 Science.
You can contact Mickledore for an up-to-date list of their resources on 01663 740 070 or drop an e-mail to mickledore@postmaster.co.uk
How did the Spaced Out project start?
The Spaced Out project began in the spring of 2003 in The Woodstock in Didsbury, Manchester.
It followed a meeting of the West Didsbury Astronomical Society when Science teacher and proponent of GCSE Astronomy, Nigel Marshall, doodled on the back of a beer mat and put a suggestion to the society’s president John Thomson:
“I’m thinking of creating the world’s largest scale model of our Solar System. Do you think it’s a crazy idea?”
“Yes, it’s crazy…let’s do it!” was John’s instant reply.
Sounding out and feasibility studies followed…to friends, partners, colleagues and consultants. It wasn’t long before a team of dedicated and committed individuals was assembled and duly constituted.
“We wanted the complete model to encompass the entire UK, with the Jodrell Bank Observatory hosting the Sun at the centre”, explained Nigel.
“Our original intention was to construct scale models that closely resembled the actual planets. However, we soon realised that representing both sizes and distances on the same scale would be impractical. We took the bold step of replacing them by artistic interpretations all about one metre in size.”
The summer of 2003 saw some exciting developments: a total of 18 models would represent the Sun, planets and a cornucopia of comets, asteroids, centaurs and trans-Neptunian objects; models would be located within the grounds of schools and key visitor attractions; installations would sit in an area of hard and soft landscaping designed to reflect the moods and characteristics of each planet; a dedicated, dynamic website would support the project and provide teachers and their pupils with a wealth of original education resources relating to the Solar System.
With support from G-Mex/MICC and the Northwest Development Agency, Spaced Out was launched with much local and national media attention at Jodrell Bank on 12th March 2004. The BBC ran a major feature - The planets descend on the UK - on its website, a catalyst that elevated the project onto the global stage.
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