Whilst looking at science toys I came across this beautiful replica orrery based around an 18th century design.

This large Orrery is a beautifully hand made working representation of the Solar System out to Saturn. It can be run on the electric motor which will reproduce a one year cycle every 5 minutes, or hand cranked. Set in a stained American White Oak case the mechanism is produced in brass and hand assembled in a workshop in Berkshire. All the components are produced in the UK. The case features the signs of the zodiac printed onto brass plates.

OK, this comes with a hefty price tag of some £1,450.

The first orrery was made by George Graham in 1710 for his patron the 4th Earl of Orrery; hence the name. It is a mechanical device that reproduces the motion of the Earth and Moon relative to the Sun. They also show the motion of the other planets but the most important aspect was to show how events such as eclipses, the phases of the moon and the changing tides happen.

To reproduce all these different periods requires a complicated system of gears - hence the expense. However, there are many solar system toys available at affordable prices. These tend to have just one gear and so all the planets move together - which is physically wrong but still looks nice! - with an extra mechanism for the moon. Many solar system toys look great illuminated hanging from a bedroom ceiling.

With opinion polls always showing a significant number of people who believe the sun goes round the Earth, perhaps an orrery is not just for children!

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