Astronomical Models

Instructions for a model which shows the axial tilts and relative rates of spin of the Sun, 8 planets and Dwarf Planet Pluto. Axial tilts cause the elevation of the Sun in the sky to vary throughout the year and hence give rise to seasonal variations, even on the outermost planets. The model also demonstrates the widely differing relative rates (and direction) of spin of the bodies, accurate to 1%.
The model is in five modules of similar appearance and most parts are standard; celestial bodies are represented by non-Meccano small balls or spheres. The modules are linked together and driven by a single motor.

This Modelplan contains complete building instructions for three compact Orreries; two which demonstrate the major moons of Saturn and Neptune, and a simple Orrery of Dwarf Planet Pluto and its recently discovered moons.

Instructions for the construction of an Orrery which demonstrates all the known objects in our Solar System larger than 250km diameter. It consists of seven units, each of which can be built as a standalone model, and all units can be interconnected with periods of motion related within an accuracy of 1%. There are 40 pages of instructions, pictures, diagrams and tables describing the instructons.

Building instructions for this unusual Orrery. The model is a mixture of fact and fiction. As well as the Sun, Mercury, Venus and Earth/Moon it includes 5 bodies observed by astronomers, sometimes authenticated, but ultimately proved to be non-exsistant.

The models featured in these instructions are designed to be built One at a time) from the contents of a Meccano Set10, with a few non-Meccano additions.
Building instructions are for two extrasolar planet systems (extrasolar planet, or expolanet, is a planet beyond our solar system). The systems 55 Cancri A and Mu Arae have been found to have (at least) 4 planets. The instructions, supplimented with colour photographs and cross sectional diagrams describe the building of both.

These instructions describe the building of a Orrery which has been designed to show the motions of asteroids. The bodies inlcluded are: The Sun, Mars with Eureka, plus Ceres, Sylvia, Romulus and Remus, Jupiter with some if it's un-named Trojans, plus Chiron. The sixteen pages of instructions include colour photograps and cross-section diagram.

Instructions for building five different orreries from the contents of a Set10. These are: Pluto/Charon, Mars/Phobos/Diemos, Jupiter/6 largest moons, Uranus/6 largest moons and Neptune/frst 8 moons discovered/2 rings - which vary in degrees of difficulty. There are twenty pages of text, three tables of periodic calclations and four gearing diagrams plus eleven large colour photographs.

Instructions for a model which includes all 9 planets, revolving round the Sun, and the recently discovered Quaoar which orbits in a near perfect circle with a period of 288 years.
It can be constructed from the contents of a Set10 and as this model uses virtually all the gears and sprockets available, with a accuracy of 1%, this must be close to the ultimate with such a modest collection.

Instructions for a model which features a rotating Saturn with a representation of it's rings and five of it's largest moons.
The model can be built from the contents of a Set10 plus a suitable motor. (A Meccano powerdrive is used)

This model model plan includes instructions and illustrations to built this impressive model which can be built with the contents of a Set10.

This model model plan includes instructions and illustrations to built this impressive model.

This modelplan gives technical information to allow the builder to construct a range of orreries. General building notes are given rather than full instructions. The builder is referred to other previously published planetary models. Just one of the numerous possible models is illustrated.

This model model plan includes instructions and illustrations to built this simpler orrery model.

This model model plan includes instructions and illustrations to built this model.

This model model plan includes instructions and illustrations to built this simpler orrery model.