 |
 |
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Click
on a link below to be instantly transported to any of
the SpacedOut sites around Britain ...
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
  |
|
|
|
|
|
Location:
Uranus at The William Herschel Museum, Bath
Uranus at The William Herschel Museum, Bath
< Back to the main map | <
Back to the map of Northwest
England
Above
Renowned sculptor Ruth Moilliet has established a reputation for sculpting in glass and metal; her work explores the strength of nature and its ability for survival.
Ruth’s stainless steel sculpture representing the planet Uranus compares the unassuming arrival of a seed head into a garden with the ‘new star’ entering William Herschel’s night sky.
It was a stroke of fortune in the initial planning stage of the project that, when the orbits of the planets and other astronomical
bodies were traced out on maps of the UK, the orbit of Uranus intersected the city of Bath.
The Spaced Out team were delighted when curator Debbie James and the trustees of the William Herschel Museum were keen to host Ruth’s representation of Uranus at the very spot from where it was discovered on 13th March 1781.
Above
LEFT to RIGHT - The garden at the William Herschel Museum in Bath from where the planet Uranus was discovered.
Guests toast the magnificent representation of Uranus at its unveiling in March 2005.
Sculptor Ruth Moilliet with her stunning representation of the planet Uranus. The sculpture had to be made slightly smaller than was originally intended so that it was able to pass through the museum's window to be then lowered into the garden.
- Uranus was the first planet to be discovered in modern times.
- It was discovered in 1781 by William Herschel using a home-made telescope from his garden in Bath, England
- Uranus’s rotation axis is tilted at 98 degrees to the ‘vertical’ – this means that its ‘north’ pole is actually below its south pole and the planet appears to rotate backwards!
- The blue colour of Uranus’s clouds is caused by the absorption of red light by methane in its atmosphere.
- Uranus has over 22 satellites – the five largest, (Oberon, Miranda, Titania, Umbriel and Ariel) are named after characters in literature rather than mythology.
- Uranis spins on its axis in just over 17 hours but takes 84 years to orbit the Sun.
- The artistic installation representing Uranus lies at the exact spot from where the planet was discovered!
The William Herschel Museum
The William Herschel Museum is dedicated to the many achievements of William and his sister Caroline Herschel, who were distinguished astronomers as well as talented musicians.
It was from this house, using a telescope of his own design that William discovered the planet Uranus in 1781. His observations helped to double the known size of the Solar System.
Discover Uranus with Wikipedia
Lots of wacky facts and figures about Uranus, its strange axial tilt, its discovery, its enigmatic moons and ring system.
Top |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
