David Kirby, Solar System, 2004
Solar System, by David Kirby, is grand scale model comprised of 10 three-foot fiberglass spheres each transformed to represent the sun and each of the nine planets that make up our solar system. The sun and planets are scaled to distance along the TART Trail, beginning in Hull Park and heading east to Bunker Hill Road. Kirby collaborated with Traverse City Light and Power, who donated the poles used to suspend the planets, as well as other volunteers to paint and erect the planets. Each installation is paired with an informational placard that includes scientific information, history of discovery, as well as both the actual and scaled distance to the next planet.
About the Artist
A Michigan native, David Kirby is an artist and physics teacher at Traverse City West Senior High. Kirby explores many different media through his work. This particular project was born from a classroom conversation he shared with his students in 2001.
The Sun 
Mercury 
Venus 
Earth 
Mars 
Jupiter 
Saturn 
Uranus 
Neptune