Solar System Model

The one to 50 million scale **solar system model** is one of Quotro's most expansive attractions. The model is centred on the Solar Arena in Velocity, which represents The Sun. The four innermost planets are also across the remainder of the Kingdom of Quotro and the asteroid belt and outer solar system are modelled to the north in The NGE and beyond. Much of the outer solar system is yet to be modelled, but the nature of the model allows for continuous expansion.

The model was started in August 2021 to help visualise the scale of the solar system. All of the modelled bodies are labelled on the server map.

At this scale the Oort Cloud begins at the northern world border. The nearest star - Proxima Centauri - would be more than 26 times further away than the world border.

## Bodies Modelled

### The Sun

The model centres on Solar Arena in Velocity which is by far the largest object in the solar system. The 28 block diameter sphere of the arena represents the sun at a scale of 1:50 million. The arena was built in Velocity to maximise the number of bodies that could be placed within the Kingdom of Quotro.

### Mercury

Mercury is located 1,158 blocks away just off Transnow Road. It is represented by by two brackets on a sign.

### Venus

Venus is represented by the head of a redstone torch. It is just north of Templeton Airport and is 2164 blocks from Solar Arena.

### Earth - Moon System

Earth is located in Pumpkin City some 2992 blocks from Solar Arena. Like Venus, it is also represented by the head of a redstone torch (one quarter of a block's diameter at this scale). Eight blocks from the model Earth is the model Moon. The Moon is represented by a lower case 'o' on a sign.

### Mars

Mars is located in the northwest corner of Oostad National park 4559 blocks from Solar Arena. It is represented by the head of a torch. The Martian moons of Phobos and Deimos are invisible at this scale, but if they could be modelled they would both be within half a block of the torch.

### Ceres

At this scale, Ceres is the only body from the asteroid belt that can be modelled. Ceres is represented by a full stop on a sign 8275 blocks from Solar Arena. It is placed just off Great North Road in The NGE.

### Jovian System

Jupiter and it's four largest moons are modelled 15,568 blocks from Solar Arena alongside Great North Road. Jupiter is represented by an orange terracotta sphere three blocks in diameter. The larger moons of Ganymede and Callisto are represented by a pair of brackets whereas the smaller moons of Europa and Io are modelled each as a lower case 'o'. The remainder of Jupiter's moons are far too small to be visible at this scale.

### Saturnian System

Saturn is modelled along with its seven largest moons near a desert NPC village 28,534 blocks from Solar Arena. The planet itself is a 2x2 cube of birch planks with the rings extending a further two blocks from the surface. The largest moon, Titan, is represented by a set of brackets on a sign 24 blocks from the planet's surface. All of the remaining smaller moons are represented by full stops, five of these (Rhea, Dione, Tethys, Enceladus and Mimas) are located in the immediate vicinity of the plant. The moon of Lapetus is 71 blocks from the surface of the planet and is across a river from the rest of the system.

### Uranian System

Uranus and its five largest moons are modelled 57,419 blocks from Solar Arena in a mesa biome north of the Saturnian system. Uranus is modelled as a single block of lime concrete. Titania - the largest moon - is modelled as a degrees symbol on a sign and the four smaller moons (Oberon, Umbriel, Ariel and Miranda) are all full stops on signs.

### Neptunian System

Neptune and its two largest moons are modelled 89,965 blocks from Solar Arena. Neptune is modelled as a single block of blue wool atop a villager fountain. This placement was a lucky coincidence given Neptune is named after the Roman god of the sea. Triton is modelled as a degrees symbol on a sign and Proteus.

### Plutonian System

The dwarf planet Pluto and its large moon Charon added in August 2022. Pluto is modelled as a degrees sign and Charon is represented by a full stop. Both bodies are on the same sign 0.39 metres apart 118,128 blocks from Solar Arena. The system sits on a small hill in plains near a floating village.

## Future Expansion

All of the plants and largest moons are now modelled, but there is still scope to expand the system into the Kuiper Belt. These objects would include:

* Haumea
* Makemake
* Eris

In addition to large objects, transitions between regions could also be modelled, such as:

* Asteroid belt
* Kuiper belt
* Termination shock
* Heliopause
* Oort cloud