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Time Trek: a 13.7 km long nature trail leading through the history of the Universe and the Earth

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 July 2012

Kirsi Lehto ,
Harry J. Lehto ,
Ari Brozinski ,
Esko Gardner ,
Olav Eklund ,
Kirsi Rajala ,
Matti Räsänen ,
Ilari Sääksjärvi ,
Laura Vainio  and
Timo Vuorisalo
Kirsi Lehto
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Molecular Plant Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Food Chemistry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland e-mail: klehto@utu.fi
Harry J. Lehto
Affiliation:
Tuorla Observatory, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
Ari Brozinski
Affiliation:
Tuorla Observatory, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Turku, Turku, Finland Department of Geology and Mineralogy, Åbo Academy, Turku, Finland
Esko Gardner
Affiliation:
Tuorla Observatory, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
Olav Eklund
Affiliation:
Department of Geology and Mineralogy, Åbo Academy, Turku, Finland
Kirsi Rajala
Affiliation:
Tuorla Observatory, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Turku, Turku, Finland Department of Behavioral Sciences and Philosophy, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
Matti Räsänen
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
Ilari Sääksjärvi
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
Laura Vainio
Affiliation:
Tuorla Observatory, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Turku, Turku, Finland Department of Geography, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
Timo Vuorisalo
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
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Abstract

With the aim to visualize the span of time since the formation of our Universe we have set up a nature and hiking trail called ‘Time Trek’. The 13.7 km length of the trail corresponds to the age of the Universe, and portrays its history including events important for Earth and life. One kilometre corresponds to a billion years, and one metre to a million years of time. The trek combines astronomical, physical, geological and biological time lines, and presents a holistic view of the history of time. It helps people to comprehend the causal and temporal connections of different phenomena. To the trekker, it offers a concrete experience of the lengths and proportions of different time periods, which otherwise are very difficult to understand.

Keywords

interdisciplinary outreachmetahistoryscience educationtime line
Type
Research Article
Information
International Journal of Astrobiology , Volume 12 , Issue 1 , January 2013 , pp. 1 - 7
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012

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References

Teerikorpi, P., Valtonen, M., Lehto, K., Lehto, H., Byrd, G. & Chernin, A. 2009. The Evolving Universe and the Origin of Life. The Search for Our Cosmic Roots. Springer, New York, p. 508. ISBN: 978-0-387-09533-2.Google Scholar