Giant Clockwork Solar System Arrives at Jodrell Bank
25th March 2013
The new Orrery at Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre. Photo credit: Anthony Holloway, University of Manchester.
Another view of the new Orrery at Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre. Photo credit: Anthony Holloway, University of Manchester.
Another view of the new Orrery at Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre. Photo credit: Anthony Holloway, University of Manchester.
The University of Manchester's Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre is delighted to announce the arrival of its newest exhibit, a beautiful and unique mechanical Orrery (a moving model of the Solar System) installed in the gallery space of its Planet Pavilion.
At 5 metres in diameter, the Jodrell Bank Orrery is thought to be the largest mechanical orrery in the world and includes a complex system of 52 brass gears, which ensure that the planets orbit around the Sun at exactly the right rate in relation to each other. It can be driven by a large winding handle, allowing visitors to orchestrate the motion of the planets themselves.
The Orrery is in a gallery that describes Our Place in the Universe, which contains touchscreen exhibits describing the Solar System and the scale of the Universe. The walls of the gallery show the view of the Cosmic Microwave Background - the fading glow of the Big Bang - which has recently been investigated in detail by ESA's Planck space mission.
Built in Acton in London by the innovative team at Science Projects, the Orrery turns against a giant 'clockface' in the ceiling of the Gallery, which depicts astronomically accurate constellation maps set out in their relevant positions in the sky. The installation of the exhibit is now complete and will be open from Monday 25th March - and throughout the Easter Holiday period.
Teresa Anderson, Director of the Discovery Centre says, 'We've been planning this exhibit for almost two years so it's wonderful now to see it in place. As far as we know, it's the largest in the World - and hence the largest in the Solar System!
It's completely bespoke and unique to Jodrell Bank and gives visitors the opportunity to interact with some of the UK's finest precision engineering and craftsmanship first hand'.
Steve Pizzey, Director of Science Projects says, 'We loved making this exhibit. We worked alongside Jodrell Bank's Associate Director Tim O'Brien to create something that is not only beautiful but also scientifically accurate. It's great to know that it will not only be a striking thing for visitors to experience but also be part of the education programme delivered by the Centre'.
Tim O'Brien, Associate Director of the Jodrell Bank Observatory said, 'This is one of those rare occasions when doing lots of calculations results in the creation of something that is immediately appealing to everyone, regardless of their level of familiarity with Physics. It's a handsome piece of engineering!'
Notes
- The Jodrell Bank Orrery is open to visitors from today, Mon 25th March.
- The Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre is one of the University of Manchester's Cultural Institutions and was awarded Cheshire Tourism Attraction of the Year in 2012. Alongside its Gallery spaces, it has a thriving curriculum-linked Education Programme, a newly installed Galaxy Garden and an Award-Winning Cafe. It is also home to the 'Live from Jodrell Bank' Science-Music festivals each summer.
- The Jodrell Bank Observatory is part of the University of Manchester's School of Physics and Astronomy and operates e-MERLIN, the UK's national radio astronomy facility. Jodrell Bank is a world leader in radio astronomy-related research and technology development but also carries out research across the electromagnetic spectrum and in theoretical topics.
- Science Projects is one of the UK's leading designers and builders of interactive exhibits and aims to 'take science to the public'. Their work can be seen not only at Jodrell Bank but in Science Centres, Museums and Galleries across the UK and worldwide.
For more information contact:
Aeron Howarth
Media Relations Officer
Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
The University of Manchester
Tel: 0161 275 8387
Email: aeron.howarth@manchester.ac.uk
