Build A Solar System Orrery

Create a matching set and showcase your working model solar system orrery and orbiter together.

Build a solar system orrery.

An orrery is a mechanical model of the movement and position of the planets in our solar system. Orrery a mechanical solar system model from plywood. Once complete with the orrery move on to building the orbiter an accurate working model of the earth moon and sun system designed to predict solar and lunar eclipses and demonstrate the rotation and orbits of the earth and the moon. It shows you the relative positions of the planets in the solar system during a given year and month.

This project explores the use of plywood to make mechanical decorative and structural parts. And like a globe an orrery also serves a practical function. I have always wanted to build a working model of our solar system often called an orrery but was never able to find a design or set of plans that inspired me. Having never worked with gears i believed that designing my own was far beyond my skill level but that s never stopped me before.