Click to enlarge
Eartha illuminates DeLorme headquarters
in Yarmouth, Maine, USA. © Jeffrey Stevenson
Eartha Education Alliance students.
Eartha’s Omni-Span tm Truss “skeleton.”
Eartha from the 3rd-story observation
balcony.
Conversations and ideas are inspired
by the presence of this visually stunning work of art and
science.
(Photo courtesy of the International Child Art Foundation
and the Eartha Education Alliance.)
Eartha is almost complete.
The Guinness World Record Holder
Eartha is a 3-dimensional scale model of our earth with mountains and landforms
in full 3D, that rotates and revolves, simulating the earth’s real
movements. Eartha was given the title of "World's Largest Revolving/Rotating
Globe" by
the editors of the Guinness Book of World Records in 1999, and still holds
that record today. It measures 41.5 ft in diameter. Unveiled July 23, 1998
Eartha took two years to build and represents earth as it is seen from
space. It rotates and revolves on a specially designed and built mechanized,
cantilever arm.
The Official Measurements
The official measurements of Eartha were made for Guinness
by several independent and licensed surveyors who found the
Globe to measure 41 feet, one and one-half inches, slightly
less than the rounded figure of 42 feet that was projected
by DeLorme staff members. Still, 41' 1.5" was more
than enough to surpass the former record-holder, the Globe
of Peace in Apeccio, Pesaro, Italy (which is 33 feet in diameter
and does not revolve or rotate).
An Engineering Accomplishment
Every aspect of Eartha was developed using computer technology. It was designed
by founder David DeLorme. and constructed by DeLorme staff members.
“The building of Eartha was a tremendous challenge for
all of us," says DeLorme. "It will help us make even
better maps and will help others envision how we on earth are
all connected.”
- The Data
The mapping data, which took over a year to compile,
is completely unique. It is a special composite database built
from satellite imagery, shaded relief, colored bathymetry (ocean
depth data) and information from terrestrial sources, such as
road networks and urban areas. The printed Eartha database is
equivalent to about 140 gigabytes (or 214 CD-ROMs), making it
one of the largest in the world! Its scale is 1:1,000,000, which
works out to be one inch equaling nearly 16 miles. At this scale,
California is three and a half feet tall!
- The Infrastructure
Eartha's "skeleton" is the Omni-Span™ Truss
structure - a DeLorme-developed system of over 6,000 pieces of
lightweight aluminum tubing. The "skin" is constructed
of over 792 map sections, printed on special materials
and mounted on lightweight panels. Those panels are then affixed
to the structure with a unique bolt system. Each panel spans 8° latitude
by 10° longitude.
- The Mechanism
Eartha tilts at 23.5 degrees, just as the earth does. It revolves on
a specially designed cantilever arm and rotates on an axis. This
action is powered by two electric-powered motors, which are commanded
by a computer. One combined Eartha revolution and rotation occurs
every minute at maximum speed.
Visit Eartha™ at DeLorme
Headquarters, in Yarmouth, Maine
Housed in a three-story glass atrium at the company's headquarters
in Yarmouth, Maine, Eartha took two years to build and represents
earth as it is seen from space. Every continent is beautifully
detailed, with vivid colors illustrating all levels of vegetation,
major roadways and cities. Ocean depths are also completely represented.
"Eartha is the largest image of earth ever created," says DeLorme. "Eartha will instill a sense of wonder in people when they first see
it and we hope they walk away from it with a better appreciation and knowledge
of the world around them."
DeLorme is the longtime leader in innovative mapping and GPS solutions for commercial and government markets. Based in Yarmouth, ME, DeLorme offers a unique set of core competencies across the complex areas of map data creation and management, software development, and integration with GPS. The ability to develop all the critical components necessary to compete in the fast-changing navigation world provides a distinct competitive advantage. DeLorme is one of a handful of mapmakers that still own and produce their own map content, and the company has received several prestigious awards in recent times for its innovative GPS mapping solutions that integrate satellite communications, serving both commercial and government needs.
Visit DeLorme.com
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