Tower Orrery

Newly redesigned Tower Orrery Models:

Our Tower Orrery models are entirely unique designs to Science Art. The new design includes a full brass armillary sphere that surrounds the planets and Sun, with a brass engraved calendar ring that depicting the days of the year and the symbols of the zodiac.  An added inner ring depicts the zodiac as star constellations.

Features of the Tower Orrery

Sun and Planets/Correct relative motion

• Correct relative orbital speeds of all 9 planets (we include Pluto).
• Relative speed means the ratios of the planet's orbits to one another are the same ratio as in our solar system, but the mechanism is sped up so that motion is discernable (i.e., it takes less than a minute for the Earth to complete an annual orbit, not 365 days). Mercury orbits 1028 times for every 1 orbit of Pluto. 
• The Sun, 9 planets, and 28 moons are made of beautiful semi-precious stone spheres including lapis, orange calcite, banded agate, turquoise. We also offer a solid brass Sun with hematite planet and stone moons.

Hardwood Base

• Each Tower Orrery rests upon a twelve-sided base crafted from solid natural oak, solid black walnut or solid red mahogany.
• The hardwood base is offered with or without optional zodiacal panels (additional cost) depicting the houses of the zodiac, either in bas relief or engraved on brass.
• Custom hardwoods are accepted and cost varies. Please inquire and know we do not use exotic/rare hardwoods or non-sustainable woods.

Gearworks and Calendar Rings

• Solid brass gears drive the clockwork mechanism and are fully visible beneath the orbiting planets.
• A full handmade brass armillary sphere surrounds the planets and gearwork, An armillary represents the axial tilt of the earth with respect to the plane of the ecliptic.
• The traditional calendar days and symbols of the houses of the zodiac are engraved onto the solid brass ring which gracefully divides the upper and lower sections of the full armillary.
• An inner ledger ring depicts all twelve major constellations of the night sky.
  

Specifications

• The Tower Orrery stands 20 inches high with a calendar ring span of 16 inches. The hardwood base measures 9 inches across.
• Battery operation takes 3 C batteries included.
• Crank Models are not available for models which include the optional zodiac panels.