Kaero

[MOD] Planet Orrery with shining Sun and instructions

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Ryu Wakimoto made wonderfull Orrery with Earth tilt, see:
https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-9044/sidebook/planet-orrery/#bi

I have modified it slightly: removed cover of the stand to show internal gears, added shining Sun and other small changes. And I have made instructions with some details about function and real motion of planet and moon. 

Orrery was already tested in astronomical learning group for kids at observatory in my city. Kids enjoyed it a lot. A shining Sun is a huge source of learning and fun.

Maybe a lot of you have seen orrery by JKBrickworks. This one has a huge improvement: Earth rotation axis is tilted. Therefore following features can be shown using this orrery:

Orrery simulates:
1, Sun rotation,
2, Earth orbit,
3, Earth rotation,
4, tilt of Earth axis
5, Moon orbit,
6, Moon rotation.

A rotating Sun can be used to show rotation of Sun. A shining Sun can be used to show phases of moon, illumination of Earth during seasons, polar day/night, lunar or solar eclipse. Either motor or hand can be used to rotate orrery. Model deficiencies: Moon eclipse comes every single orbit of moon due to limited size of the model. New moon always cause solar eclipse due to limited size of the model. Sun rotation is independent on latitude.

All source files (even for instructions) are at:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/jsgn7lhblmgi4ja/AADIiNpdXUFmLksekZUZMmIPa?dl=0

You can take a look at this lousy video:

Instructions should be mostly OK, but I would be happy if someone other will build it and tell me about problems or caveeats.

Also on rebrickable:

https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-11790

Edited by Kaero

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Just now, Frequenzberater said:

Really nice! But why does the earth rotate so unsmooth? That disturbes the harmonic overall impression, imo.

Because Earth holds on the axis only by one 2x2 rounded plate with axis hole. This could be improved if someone would have some free time to completely rebuild design of the Earth.

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Many thanks for sharing! This is something I wanted to do (right earth axis & lighting) . I have 90% of the woring pieces so I'll try to follow the pdf

And I'll look into the smoothness of movement, I guess we need a less-flexible axis and a lighter earth

Regards,

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On 1/4/2018 at 1:57 PM, bitbamboo said:

Many thanks for sharing! This is something I wanted to do (right earth axis & lighting) . I have 90% of the woring pieces so I'll try to follow the pdf

And I'll look into the smoothness of movement, I guess we need a less-flexible axis and a lighter earth

Regards,

I will be very glad if you will test the instructions.

On 1/4/2018 at 2:07 PM, Frequenzberater said:

Does the position of rotation axis of the earth also rotate, or is it on a fixed position? Cant detect it in the vid.

I am not sure I understand your question. The axis of the Earth is simulated properly - i.e. you can show seasons on this model. The axis aims all the time to one 'distant star', like real Earth axis aims all the time to Polaris (North Star). However small effects (almost not observable by human eye in real world) like precession and nutation are not simulated.

Take a look at the video of Ryu Wakimoto, it could help.

https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-9044/sidebook/planet-orrery/#bi

 

 

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