Horological Meandering

Hi all, Some time ago a posted some pictures about the work in progress of the orrery I had commissioned. Now after 4 months of waiting I can show you the final result. I must say I'm thrilled by it. The maker added some features specific to this orrery as he only makes one off's. Some info from the maker: All ratios of the movement are correct. All moons rotate around the planets.I have added Mercury following an elliptical path whilst rotating accurately whilst it does. Venus is shown rotating on its axis in retrograde. Uranus is shown with its North pole pointing away from the Sun and the moons orbiting in retrograde. As with all Orrerys it is not possible to accurately scale down the universe,its just to big. However all the planets orbit times are accurate (much better then 1%). The moons are a little more difficult to portray. For example the moons of Mars, Phobos and Deimos are shown orbiting in correct relationship to one another a ration of approx 4-1. If they were to rotate at a correct'scale speed' to Mars then the inner moon would be whizzing round at about 1500 rpm.( based on an average earth orbit time of 90 seconds) and so I have slowed them down to a more manageable speed. Some more details: The Orrey has 178 gears in total + one 73 tooth drive worm wheel and worm. One revolution of the handle is equal five earth days. ie 365/73=5. 73 revolutions of the handle is equal to one full Earth year. It requires 18082 turns of the handle to make Pluto complete one orbit of the Sun. Height of the Orrery from the bottom of the feet to the top of the Sun approx 14" or 270mm. Centre line of the Orrery to the end of the Pluto arm 560mm. Centre line of the Orrery to the end of the Neptune arm with sufficient clearance to allow rotation of the moons 540mm. The Orrery legs fit inside a circle of 15" or 390mm. Weight with arms attached 24 LBS or approx 11 kilos. Hope you enjoy the pictures (even if not high quality)!

I am a big fan of this kind of astronomical opus, my friend.

As you know, I spend my time the head in the stars, and each time i fall on this kind of wrok, I am as amazed as captivated.

Thanks for this this ticket with stars!

All the best, and huge congratulations.

Nicolas

Yes, for me also a lot of facsination for everything to to with planets, stars etc.

Dirk

It's actually much smaller than I had thought but no less detailed.

I look forward to many more pics of this beauty and your thoughts on ownership in the months to come.

Big congrats,

Andy.

were the first to guess it, glad you like it. I'll keep you updated with some more pictures in the future.

Br,
Dirk

which also has an Orrery in the entrance hall.....the meal was out of this world too so if your in London you must visit now you have one 

Pics are on here somewhere - it was London GTG last December if I recall correctly.

Yours,

Andy.

That  is a very nice orrery to add to any collection!  

Many thanks for posting.  I love things like orreries and complex astronomical clocks, which is strange as I don't like complications in watches.  

I'm thinking in having made a kind of display with integrated lighting (as used in museums).
Still looking for the right company to do it though.

Thx,
Dirk

Congratulations.

 

Thanks for sharing this marvel with us.

 

 

Vte

Hey, Dirk - 

. . . for the planets.

Very cool, Dirk.

Deeply impressed,

Art

I really enjoyed the video whilst looking from time to the orrery, didn't see it before.

Appreciated,
Dirk

I knew it was a special one but it is so beautiful and charming...

Congrats!

Fx

Yes, I'm quite happy with the result. The maker applied some features (possitive) to it I even wasn't aware of.

Thx for your feedback,
Dirk

I'll show to my father 

It is a complicated and stunning piece of art as well as a practical educational tool.

Regards

Ling

As per Nickd, I am wondering how to place the beautiful piece of orrery which I assume most parts are in brass.  Over here in the tropics, besides dusty, the parts may oxidize quite fast due to high humidity (except placed in an air-conditioned room 24X7).

If I have a piece,  would place underneath a large round glass table , which could enable family-members and friends to enjoy the view over meals and drinks.
Next to think of customizing an acrylic case with rollers  to allow the whole case to slide out underneath the table

Perhaps you may already known this   (click here)

Enjoy the stunning work!

Kong

The Netherlands, so climate wise ceratinly better than tropics. Thy for your nice comments.

Br,
Dirk

Difficult. Maybe make a movie by taking a frame a day for several months?

fair play to the man that made it and if your keeping it at home your wife must be of infinite patience. the biggest question is 'who cleans it'

a really nice piece which took you a lot of skill to work out so that it would actually work. i wouldnt know where to start.

best

Graham

a maker from London, so all kudos to your country!
Well, cleaning, I'm afraid my wife will say it is my duty ;-)

Cheers,
Dirk

I won't add another superlative expression to what is already above but it is not an ordinary project !

Thanks for sharing and I would really be glad to see more in the future (and to learn more as well !)

Thanks again and congratulations

Best,

Mark

when I received teh Orrery. I only saw pictures and a lot was discussed via mails. So when I saw the end result, I had the same reaction as you have, you really should see it live!
Thy for yournice feedback.

Best regards,
Dirk