South Somerset Astronomical Society is proposing to install 24 marker plinths along with the existing Solar Walk beside the waterway.
One of the Halley’s Comet plinths that could be installed along the canal (Image: South Somerset Astronomical Society)
If Somerset Council approves the plans, the columns will map the comet’s journey from its furthest point from the Sun on December 9, 2023, up to its closest approach to the Sun on July 28, 2016.
The society also wants to replace the current information plaques with discs featuring a QR code linking to a dedicated website with greater detail.
A spokesperson said the potential benefits to the Taunton area include: *emphasising the council’s desire to invest in science and technology, thus re-energising community interest;
*promoting an interest in science and astronomy
*providing educational opportunities for schools;
*increasing footfall along the canal towpath and into Taunton town centre.
They added: “We believe that after nearly 30 years, it is time to upgrade the Space Walk model to give people using the canal the opportunity to be able to discover more about the planets, as revealed to us from space missions, and also learn more about the discovery and existence of other worlds.
“The information should be accessible and available to them in real time as they walk along the route.
“Also, adding Halley’s Comet will add a new dimension to the Space Walk.
“It will not only attract new visitors, but give those who currently and regularly walk along the canal a new and fresh purpose.
“The model at present gives a good indication of astronomical distances, but adding Halley to it will now give the sense of astronomical time.”
The Space Walk, which was opened in August 1997, consists of nine planets arranged at their relative distances and sizes between the Sun, at Maunsel Lock, and Pluto, at Taunton Brewhouse.
The relative distances of the planets are set out at a scale of 1mm to 530km.
The spokesperson added that the attraction was the creation of Pip Youngman, adding: “The purpose of the Space Walk was to give people walking along the canal a sense of perspective and scale of the Solar System as well as basic information about that celestial body.
“At the time the model was constructed these were the only planets commonly known, even though…today there are currently over 5,000 confirmed planets orbiting other stars.”