Explore Space in Our Model Solar System

At Innisfree, artist Walter Beck created at least one cup garden he called the Altar of the Sun. In that spirit, join us for a spacewalk with scientist and educator Eric Myers and landscape curator Kate Kerin. Starting at the Point and traveling to little-seen parts of Innisfree, we will walk through a model solar system, discussing the Sun and planets as well as the evolving science of space. We will use what Eric calls the “Peppercorn Model,” showing the sizes of the planets and the distances between them at scale. Hinting at the vastness of space, the model Sun is about the size of a soccer ball, Earth is a peppercorn, and Pluto is a grain of salt about 1000 yards from the Sun. Free with garden admission, this program is for curious minds of all ages, adults and children alike.

Eric Myers is a physicist with wide-ranging interests. He is committed to bringing direct and engaging experiences with scientific concepts to students and the general public. For fun and as part of his work in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at SUNY New Paltz, Eric develops new experiments, improves existing ones, and designs and creates physics and astronomy demonstrations.

Advance registration is encouraged for this special program. Tickets include admission to the garden. Innisfree will open rain or shine. Tickets are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for another date.