It was some time ago now when I first took the call but I can still remember my initial bemusement turn slowly to comprehension as I listened to a gentleman explain to me the difficulties he had encountered as he tried to reach Pluto! As the conversation unfolded I not only got the gist of the footpath problem he had telephoned to report but I also learnt of the existence a unique, time sensitive scale model of the solar system based in the village of Otford.

Some 4 years ago now Otford Parish Council called for ideas to celebrate the millennium. One of the ideas put forward was to create an actual physical scale model of the solar system; replicating the configuration of the planets on the night of the millennium, which at the same time would give a sense of its size.

The first step to creating such a model was to decide upon a scale. It had to be big enough for the smallest planet Pluto to be seen by the naked eye and small enough to fit within the Parish Boundary which is approximately one kilometre radius. This meant that Pluto had to be at least 0.5mm across, and since Pluto is some 3.1 billion miles away from the sun the scale for the model had to be about 1:5,000,000,000 (one to five billion).

Of course there would be little point in creating a model unless it could be accessible to the public at all times without distorting the basic accuracy of the layout; positioning was crucial but again a technicality that was eventually overcome. Ultimately, the Sun and the inner planets were located in the recreation ground and the outlying planets situated along side public footpaths and other areas open to public access. However, distances being as vast as they are it was soon realised that the nearest star would need to be positioned near Los Angeles to accord with the chosen scale. The Griffith Observatory has in fact erected a corresponding model within their exhibits advising visitors that if they wish to see the rest of the model they should visit Otford in England!

The planets are engraved onto stainless steel discs set on metre high concrete pillars; each of the discs being the same diameter as the sun to give a comparison of the size of the planet to the Sun. The Sun is a highly polished stainless steel dome which is very impressive particularly when the Sun is out, as wherever you stand you can see its refection in the dome.

I have the good fortune of being the Rights Of Way Officer for this area and have in the course of my work now visited most of the planets, particularly Pluto! And I thoroughly recommend it to all. Otford itself is a very pretty village (winner of village of the year last year) and a tour of the solar system will take you through it and into the beautiful countryside surrounding it. To visit all of the planets at a leisurely stroll it will take about 1.45 hrs.

There is a map and small booklet giving facts and thoughts on the Solar System. It is available at a number of outlets in the village including the Heritage Centre.

Debbie Adams