People have always been interested in the solar system and even the Ancient Greeks constructed devices something like orreries. An orrery was a mechanical model that at first consisted of just the sun and the earth. Planets and then moons were added as they were discovered. It was driven by clockwork, showing not only the relative positions of these bodies but their orbits too.
Copernicus, a keen astronomer, came up with the theory that the earth orbited around the sun and not the other way round as was believed at the time. Kepler, a brilliant mathematician, agreed with him. So did Galileo and he was condemned to years of house arrest for his beliefs. He was one of the first to use a telescope to see four moons orbiting Jupiter. This was a clear contradiction to the current belief that everything revolved around the earth.
By the 1700s the theory of a sun-centered solar system had been accepted as the truth. The first modern model with the earth-moon system orbiting the sun was designed by a clockmaker called George Graham only 300 years ago. John Rowley, an instrument maker gave a copy of this model to his patron, Charles Boyle. It was not long before orreries became popular and they were elaborated to include all known planets and some moons as well.
Today there are even orreries where the movement of planets is represented by humans. There is a permanent one found at the Armagh Observatory, an astronomical research institute in Northern Ireland. An accurate scale model represents the earth, five planets as well as an asteroid and two comets. The orbits are arranged on the ground with the use of stainless steel tiles. People jump from tile to tile with each jump representing a specific time interval.
One major problem with any model of the solar system is one of scale. However, another problem is the actual distance of planets from the sun. Despite these problems, orreries are very useful as teaching tools. Even a simple one can be helpful in the classroom. The complexity depends on how many bodies are portrayed. For example, if moons are included they must be made to orbit the planets as the planets go round the sun, thus making construction more difficult.
Today online simulation of orreries have become available which are easy for anyone to use. They allow one to see the different bodies orbiting about and are often quite beautiful to watch. Such simulations are often used at universities.
Today highly advanced software applications can be purchased, featuring smooth camera navigation and realistic orbital speeds. One can orbit planets and even land on Mercury, Mars or Venus to explore. All that is needed to use such an application is a device with modern hardware. Interested enthusiasts often experience hours of enjoyment using such applications.
Simple orreries can be very helpful as educational tools. More complex ones are difficult to construct and are still being made by artisans today. Digital applications have made orreries more accessible and they are improving technologically all the time. The fascination of humans with the solar system continues unabated and orreries are like to exist and become more elaborate over time, as our knowledge expands.
Copernicus, a keen astronomer, came up with the theory that the earth orbited around the sun and not the other way round as was believed at the time. Kepler, a brilliant mathematician, agreed with him. So did Galileo and he was condemned to years of house arrest for his beliefs. He was one of the first to use a telescope to see four moons orbiting Jupiter. This was a clear contradiction to the current belief that everything revolved around the earth.
By the 1700s the theory of a sun-centered solar system had been accepted as the truth. The first modern model with the earth-moon system orbiting the sun was designed by a clockmaker called George Graham only 300 years ago. John Rowley, an instrument maker gave a copy of this model to his patron, Charles Boyle. It was not long before orreries became popular and they were elaborated to include all known planets and some moons as well.
Today there are even orreries where the movement of planets is represented by humans. There is a permanent one found at the Armagh Observatory, an astronomical research institute in Northern Ireland. An accurate scale model represents the earth, five planets as well as an asteroid and two comets. The orbits are arranged on the ground with the use of stainless steel tiles. People jump from tile to tile with each jump representing a specific time interval.
One major problem with any model of the solar system is one of scale. However, another problem is the actual distance of planets from the sun. Despite these problems, orreries are very useful as teaching tools. Even a simple one can be helpful in the classroom. The complexity depends on how many bodies are portrayed. For example, if moons are included they must be made to orbit the planets as the planets go round the sun, thus making construction more difficult.
Today online simulation of orreries have become available which are easy for anyone to use. They allow one to see the different bodies orbiting about and are often quite beautiful to watch. Such simulations are often used at universities.
Today highly advanced software applications can be purchased, featuring smooth camera navigation and realistic orbital speeds. One can orbit planets and even land on Mercury, Mars or Venus to explore. All that is needed to use such an application is a device with modern hardware. Interested enthusiasts often experience hours of enjoyment using such applications.
Simple orreries can be very helpful as educational tools. More complex ones are difficult to construct and are still being made by artisans today. Digital applications have made orreries more accessible and they are improving technologically all the time. The fascination of humans with the solar system continues unabated and orreries are like to exist and become more elaborate over time, as our knowledge expands.
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