June is always an astronomically significant month because of the summer solstice; however, this June is particularly noteworthy as the rare transit of Venus phenomenon will occur and will not be seen again until the year 2117. In celebration of these celestial spectacles, the new featured activity kit — the Solar System Simulator Model [ CR 523.2 S6843 ] – will encourage learning about the solar system through its three-dimensional representation of the sun and planets. Designed to provide an understanding of sizes, distances, colours, and speeds at which the planets travel around the sun, this model helps to demonstrate what planets are visible at any given date and why some planets are visible only at certain times of the year.
Currently displayed on the coffee table near the Service Desk on the Ground Floor of the Library.