Dome Planetarium
Dome Planetarium: Peoria's Gateway to the Stars
Peoria's Community Solar System: A Scaled Journey Through Space
Explore the cosmos in Central Illinois with the world's most complete large-scale model of our solar system.
The Community Solar System in Peoria, Illinois, is a large-scale model spanning 6,000 square miles, offering an interactive and educational experience for all ages. It includes the Sun, eight planets, five dwarf planets, and numerous comets, making it the world's most complete model of its kind.
Plan your visit
A brief summary to Community Solar System
Opening times, essentials, and a few local tips gathered into one calmer, easier-to-scan planning section.
Plan your visit
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Getting There
Walking
If you are in downtown Peoria, start at the Peoria Riverfront Museum located at 222 SW Washington St. From the museum, head southwest on SW Washington St towards the intersection with SW Adams St. Continue straight for about two blocks until you reach the intersection with SW Jefferson Ave. The Community Solar System is located just outside the museum entrance, so you will find it easily as you approach the museum itself. There are no costs associated with viewing the solar system model near the museum.
Public Transport
From the Peoria Transit Center, located a few blocks from the Peoria Riverfront Museum, you can take a CityLink bus to various points throughout Peoria and the surrounding areas. Depending on which planet you intend to visit, check the CityLink route schedules for the best option. A single ride fare is typically $1, and day passes are available for around $3. Parking at the Transit Center is available for a fee.
Driving
If driving from downtown Peoria, follow SW Washington Street. To visit Jupiter at the Peoria International Airport, follow IL-29 N and I-74 E. To visit Saturn at the Pekin Public Library, take IL-29 S. Parking is available at both locations, with hourly rates around $2 at the airport. There are no toll roads.
Local tips
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Download a map of the solar system locations before you start your exploration to efficiently navigate between the planets.
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Visit the Peoria Riverfront Museum to see the Sun and learn more about the solar system before venturing out to find the other planets.
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Check the opening hours of locations like the Peoria International Airport and Pekin Public Library, as they house some of the planets.
Discover more about Community Solar System
Embark on a cosmic adventure with Peoria's Community Solar System, a unique attraction that brings the vastness of space down to Earth. This large-scale model, with a scale factor of 99,000,000:1, stretches across 6,000 square miles of Central Illinois, inviting visitors to explore the solar system in a tangible and engaging way.The Sun, the heart of the model, is located on the Peoria Riverfront Museum's Sun Plaza and the wall of the Dome Planetarium lobby. From there, you can journey to discover scaled representations of Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, and the outer planets, each located at a different spot throughout the region. The model also includes five dwarf planets and numerous unnamed comets, extending as far north as Barrow, Alaska, and as far south as South Pole Station, Antarctica.This ambitious project replaced an earlier model from 1992 and was created when the Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences moved to the Peoria Riverfront Museum in 2012. While other larger models exist, Peoria's is known as the most complete. Exploring the Community Solar System offers a fun, educational experience, perfect for families, school groups, and anyone with an interest in astronomy.
A brief summary to Community Solar System
Use Community Solar System as your starting point for nearby food, family ideas, nightlife, and more local discoveries.
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