Jovilabe Grand Orrery, 2009
NA
Orrery
This is a grand orrery, a mechanical model that replicates the orbit of the planets of our solar system around the sun. The first modern orrery was produced in 1704. This contemporary example is made of brass and wood. Its baseplate is engraved with months, zodiac signs and the four seasons.Clockwork
This orrery is powered by clockwork. The earliest known example of clockwork technology is the Greek made Antikythera mechanism from 87 BC. Records and mythology suggest many ancient cultures were familiar with clockwork mechanisms, but this knowledge was lost during the Dark Ages. Technology with comparable complexity didn’t re-emerge in Europe until the 14th century.Enlightenment
This is a grand orrery, an astrological timepiece popularised during the Age of Enlightenment. This intellectual movement dominated European culture in the 17th and 18th century. The Enlightenment emphasised reason and science over superstition and faith to an increasingly literate population. This drove the development and dissemination of scientific equipment like orreries.Speed
This orrery models the orbit of the earth and outer planets around the sun. The earth completes a solar orbit every 365.256 days. In this journey the earth travels 940 million kilometres in a counter-clockwise direction at a speed of nearly 30 kilometres per second, or 67,000 miles per hour.
Jovilabe Grand Orrery, 2009
NA
Orrery
This is a grand orrery, a mechanical
model that replicates the orbit of the
planets of our solar system around
the sun. The first modern orrery was
produced in 1704. This contemporary
example is made of brass and wood.
Its baseplate is engraved with months,
zodiac signs and the four seasons.
Clockwork
This orrery is powered by clockwork.
The earliest known example of
clockwork technology is the Greek
made Antikythera mechanism from
87 BC. Records and mythology suggest
many ancient cultures were familiar
with clockwork mechanisms, but this
knowledge was lost during the Dark
Ages. Technology with comparable
complexity didn’t re-emerge in Europe
until the 14th century.
Enlightenment
This is a grand orrery, an astrological
timepiece popularised during the
Age of Enlightenment. This intellectual
movement dominated European
culture in the 17th and 18th century.
The Enlightenment emphasised reason
and science over superstition and faith
to an increasingly literate population.
This drove the development and
dissemination of scientific equipment
like orreries.
Speed
This orrery models the orbit of the
earth and outer planets around the
sun. The earth completes a solar orbit
every 365.256 days. In this journey
the earth travels 940 million kilometres
in a counter-clockwise direction at
a speed of nearly 30 kilometres per
second, or 67,000 miles per hour.
