Pluto
This is the 12th cache in a series that creates the model of the
Solar System with objects along the I-680, I-80, I-505, I-5 route
that would be taken if heading for the Oregon border. All caches
are within 3 miles (as the crow flies) of that route. Parking for
this cache is available within 30 feet.
The Sun for the Vgr1 Solar System Model is located, of course,
at Sun Valley in Concord and is named Vgr1
- Sun. All objects are placed at a distance from Vgr1
- Sun relative to their average orbital distance (+/- 5%). The
scale used is 2 miles for every Astronomical Unit. An Astronomical
Unit is the average distance between the Sun and the Earth. With
this scale, Neptune, the farthest planet, is in the range of 59.5
to 60.9 miles distant. Eris, the farthest dwarf planet, is in the
range of 128.6 to 142.1 miles distant. Sorry folks, Pluto is now
classified as a dwarf planet and is in the range of 75.0to 82.9
miles distant.
The cache log sheet contains a number associated with the
coordinate code letter "t". You should record this number. In
case the log sheet is destroyed, the same value is written on the
inside lid of the container and the upper inside edge of the
container. If you find all 15 object caches (the sun, the 8
planets, the 5 dwarf planets, and the asteroid belt), this number
will help you find the bonus Voyager
1 (July 2009) cache.
The container itself is a cylinder about 3 inches in diameter
and about 7 inches log. At placement, it contained a log sheet in a
protective baggy, a pen to sign the log sheet, and a $1.00 coin for
the FTF prize.
Please consider visiting the other caches in the Vgr1 Solar
System Model. This
link will take you to a list of the Vgr1 caches. You may also
pick from the table below.
If you do your homework, it is possible to do this entire series
in one (long) day. The total round trip from the Vgr1
- Sun cache to the Voyager
1 (July 2009) cache is some where between 500 - 550 miles,
depending how often you double back to for missed exists, find
other caches, etc.
For more information on Pluto, visit its Wikipedia description.
For more information on the Solar System, visit its Wikipedia
description.
The idea was inspired by TeamJiffy's great series I finished at
the end of 2008; Northern
CA Solar System Model: Comet Halley
Congratulations to "patnanz" on First to Find (FTF).