People travelling Route 1 between Houlton and Presque Isle may have noticed a prominent landmark missing this summer.
Jupiter, the largest planet in the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s solar system model, which stretches 40 miles in Aroostook County, seems like it’s “missing from orbit,” said UMPI geology professor Kevin McCartney.
McCartney said he’s received a number of queries about the missing planet from visitors to his family’s Old Iron Inn Bed and Breakfast in Caribou.
The model of planet Jupiter was due for a repainting this summer, but ended up needing some more work that’s taken it out of commission for longer than expected, he said Tuesday.
“The upper part, the northern hemisphere, had enough holes and damage that it wasn’t just enough to repaint it,” said McCartney, who helped spearhead the solar system model that was set up in 2003.
The planet was removed from its station in southern Presque Isle on June 9 by crews from Langille Construction of Washburn and was set to be back up by the end of the month.
But with the additional work needed to repair the fiberglass material, the planet will now be finished and returned likely in August, McCartney said.
The planet is currently at UMPI and is set to head to Beaulieu’s Garage in Caribou within about 10 days to receive the fiberglass work, and after that members of the Aroostook County Astronomy Club will repaint it, McCartney said. Those club members are starting to practice the paint job, because they’ll have just one chance to get it right, he said.
“It’s entirely a community project,” McCartney added, with volunteers and donated funds and work aiding in the repairs.
