Experience Wonder:125 Years of Lowell Observatory

Support Planetary Blocks: Our Solar System--Pluto is Included!

The Planetary Society and Chopshop Store and Studio are seeking support for their Kickstarter project featuring a set of 20 Planetary Blocks. These wooden blocks each have six sides with beautiful images and information about various solar system worlds—the Sun, the four terrestrial planets, the four gas giant planets, the four dwarf planes, and eight spherical planetary moons.

Information on each block will include the object’s appearance, relative size, orbital distance, name, composition, and images of the robotic spacecraft sent to explore them. A portion of the sales of these blocks will go toward the Planetary Society.

The Sun, 11 planets, and 8 moons are obviously just some of the solar system’s worlds; these particular ones were chosen because we have the best images and data about them. As more of the solar system is explored, more worlds will likely be added to both the list of those visited and maybe even to those depicted in this project or others like it.

Yes, Pluto is included with the 11 planets! And the eight spherical moons, being rounded by their own gravity, all qualify as planets under the geophysical planet definition—as do more spherical moons that will hopefully be depicted on future blocks. Several ocean worlds in addition to Pluto, such as Jupiter’s moon Europa, are part of this set. These exciting worlds could yet be the first places where we someday find life beyond Earth.

While these blocks are toys, they are not just for kids! They make a terrific gift for all fans of space, planetary science, and the solar system.

Also included with the blocks is a giant fold-out supplemental chart loaded with extra facts and data and expands on the scale and distance sides of the blocks.

This notice comes late, as there is just one day left in the Kickstarter program. The project’s fundraising goal has already been met, but I encourage everyone who can to contribute to the Kickstarter. A variety of rewards come with different contribution levels.

Even when the fundraiser ends tomorrow, June 5, at 11:15 pm EDT, you can still support the project by purchasing these beautiful blocks for anyone who might appreciate them, including yourself!

Our solar system is a wonderful place filled with planets. Learn more about our Sun and some of these planets by supporting this project and by purchasing these planetary blocks. Visit the Kickstarter site at Planetary Blocks: Our SolarSystem.