The Orbit Orrery model of the Sun lights up and features the planets as far as Neptune. The Earth has a moon and the planets can be moved around the Sun by hand and the Moon around the Earth. This orrery is suited to demonstrating the shape and motions of the solar system at Key Stage 2 and 3 levels of education in astronomy.
It demonstrates the overall shape of the solar system and the relative movements of the planets and the Earth's moon. The hands-on model with teaching guide helps pupils understand the solar system including its shape, the sun as the source of its light, planetary orbits, the planets' names and which planets may be seen on given days. The planets, can be rotated by hand around the Sun which lights up while the moon can be rotated around the Earth. The planets are relative in terms of their size as they appear in the solar system.
- Overall height: 100mm.
- Diameter of largest Orbit 38cm.
- Requires 2 x AA batteries (not included) to light the sun.
- Teachers notes and battery holder included.
Learning Outcomes
- Key Stage 3 Physics – Matter: Our sun as a star, other stars in our galaxy, other galaxies.
- Key Stage 4 Physics – Space Physics: The main features of the solar system.
- Key Stage 4 Physics – Motion and Forces: Non-contact forces: gravity forces acting at a distance on Earth and in space, forces between magnets, and forces due to static electricity. Relate linear motion to our other relative motions, such as the earth’s relative to the Sun.