In W H Smith yesterday, my eye was caught by a magazine display for a part-collection called “Build a model solar system”. Over 52 weeks you built yourself an Orrery. Now I didn’t actually know what an Orrery was- I thought it was another word for Curmudgeon. (That is Ornery, i.e. awkward squad). It is actually a miniature mechanised planetarium in the original Kepler sense of the word- a model solar system where the movement of the planets around the Sun is in the correct ratio.
Of course, a weekly part set adds up to a fair amount of money, over £300 in this case. However, as well as a working model as an outcome, you will also get 52 magazines explaining the wonders of the Solar System and indeed the Galaxy.
It makes me wish I was a small boy again, so that I could ask my Dad you collect it for me, although I’m not certain David is overly interested. (He is more into Arts than Sciences). When I was a nipper, my Parents bought a number of parts (but alas not complete sets) for two great sets- one was called “Understanding Science” and the other “Mind Alive”, both from the early 60s. They didn’t have any gimmicks but they sparked my interest in all things techy in my formative years.
We have only collected one part set so far for David- an encyclopedia based around Mr. Bean, of all people.
The Orrery has a celebrity endorsement by Sir Patrick Moore, celebrated astronomer and eccentric.
When looking around, I was also amused to find him (and his impersonator) performing Fire Starter on Room 101. Here it is, just in case you don’t quite believe me.
It makes me wish I was a small boy again
We all are inside - buy it!
Comment by jameshigham — March 26, 2008 @ 8:48 am
Yes. Such a thing would have fascinated me as a small boy. Still retains an interest. i second JH’s comment.
FYI There are some excellent free astronomy progs you can download, that will show the solar system and indeed the galaxy at any time you choose, even plot satellites and the paths of spaceprobes.
May I recommend ‘Celestia’
http://www.shatters.net/celestia/
Comment by Phil A — March 27, 2008 @ 1:06 pm
Alas, graphics never have quite the appeal of mechanics.
Comment by Shades — March 27, 2008 @ 9:34 pm
Is Patrick Moore still alive?
Comment by Colin Campbell — March 29, 2008 @ 12:32 pm
CC- I imagine so, unless the celebrity endorsement of the orrery is a Spitting Image puppet…
Comment by Shades — March 29, 2008 @ 12:35 pm
[...] the “Build you own Solar System” part work in a newsagent somewhere. I dug into it, blogged about it and put it to the back of my mind- until David started asking lots of questions about the planets [...]
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