Description
This is a mechanical model of part of the solar system, commonly known as an orrery, manufactured by English mathematician and instrument maker Benjamin Martin in about 1770. This bronze model features a cylindrical clockwork mechanism with an orb representing the Sun placed in the centre. Extending from this on an arm is a model of the Earth mounted on a tilt mechanism. Technically speaking, this mechanical model is known as a tellurion because it shows only the movements of the Earth and not of the Moon or the other planets. The orrery stands 38.5 cm high and is 25.5 cm in diameter.
Acknowledgements
| Credits | Reproduced courtesy of Museum Victoria |
|---|---|
| Creator | Benjamin Martin, manufacturer, c1770 Jon Augier, photographer |
| Identifiers | Museum Victoria image number MN 13410 Museum Victoria object registration number ST 023770 TLF resource R6377 |
| Source | Museum Victoria, http://www.museum.vic.gov.au/ |
