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You've Discovered the Bullis School Solar System! This website accompanies physical markers found on Bullis' campus. Click here to learn more!
About the project
About the project
The Bullis Solar System is a campus wide, scale model of the solar system as it was on
December 31st, 1930.
The Solar System Map
The Solar System Map
Use this interactive map to find the location of the planet markers on the Bullis campus. You can get the coordinates for the markers to use the GPS capability of your smartphone.
Why December 31st, 1930?
Why December 31st, 1930?
Because the planets move in predictable ways, it is possible to know where planets were on any given date. The date selected for the Bullis Solar System is December 31st, 1930. With the center of the solar system, the sun, placed at the center of the Tranquility Fountain, all planets (including Pluto) can fit on the Bullis campus. 1930 was also an important year for Bullis, and for exploring the solar system.
BULLIS SCHOOL IS FOUNDED
BULLIS SCHOOL IS FOUNDED
In 1930, Captain (ANG) William F. Bullis, a 1924 graduate of the Naval Academy and a preparatory school teacher, and his bride Lois Hoover Bullis, a school teacher, founded a new school in Washington, D.C., to prepare young men for service academy entrance exams.
PLUTO IS DISCOVERED
PLUTO IS DISCOVERED
In 1930, Dr, Clyde Tombaugh discovered the dwarf planet Pluto while working for Lowell Observatory in Arizona. The name was suggested by eleven year old Venetia Burney of Oxford, England.
Learn more about the history, exploration and physical characteristics of Pluto here.
Marker Design
Marker Design
The markers placed around the Bullis campus were designed as a group project by the 2020/21 Upper School astronomy class. Students selected the basic design and information to be included on the marker. The markers were made in the Bullis BITlab using the laser engraver on painted tiles.
Initial design concepts from students
The engraved circles are to scale with each other and with the six inch sun at the center of the Tranquility Fountain. The distance the markers are placed from the sun is also to scale. The scale used for this campus wide model is 1:9,000,000,000!
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