Overview
- Presents the history and development of orreries and introduces the Irish earls of Orrery after whom the astronomical device was named
- Uniquely brings together the topics of clocks, orreries, and their connection to the Boyle family
- Provides a fascinating example of the relationship between innovative thinking (invention) and precision engineering (execution)
- Offers practical tips and instructions on locating, and even building these fascinating solar system models
- Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras
Part of the book series: Astronomers' Universe (ASTRONOM)
Access this book
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Other ways to access
Table of contents (6 chapters)
-
Front Matter
-
Back Matter
Keywords
About this book
“Orrery” appeals to almost anyone interested in popular astronomy, astronomical mechanical devices, scientific instruments, the history of clocks - and even the history of aristocratic and prestigious families! Many people these days – not only astronomers – have a good idea of the main components of the Solar System. They might also know about the orrery, a mechanical model that shows the movements of the Moon and planets. But not too many know why it was so named and who it was named after. The Boyle family – the Earls of Orrery –include the famous Boyle of Boyle’s Law. But others were key in the history of the orrery, not the least being clockmakers. Aware of the lunar and planetary content of the sky, they strove to make scientific instruments to demonstrate their movements and introduced measuring devices to predict their positions. In antiquity, their lives on occasion depended on the accuracy; upsetting kings and lords was dangerous business!
Orreries are found everywhere. They can be made of wood or metal, and are even available today as home-assembly kits and children’s toys. They appear in paintings, on computers, on the side of royal clocks, in stately home hallways, and of course, in museums all over the world. This book contains illustrations of orreries to give a guide as to what is and was available and where to see the best examples. It also contains information and references to help readers who want to make (or buy) their own orrery.
The story of the Boyles is not just relevant to a tiny corner of Ireland, but spans the world. “Orrery” highlights the process of discovery and humankind’s universal fascination with the heavens. Provides a fascinating example of the relationship between innovative thinking (invention) and precision engineering (execution).
Authors and Affiliations
About the author
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Orrery
Book Subtitle: A Story of Mechanical Solar Systems, Clocks, and English Nobility
Authors: Tony Buick
Series Title: Astronomers' Universe
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7043-4
Publisher: Springer New York, NY
eBook Packages: Physics and Astronomy, Physics and Astronomy (R0)
Copyright Information: Springer Science+Business Media New York 2014
eBook ISBN: 978-1-4614-7043-4Published: 26 October 2013
Series ISSN: 1614-659X
Series E-ISSN: 2197-6651
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XXIII, 299
Number of Illustrations: 179 b/w illustrations, 70 illustrations in colour
Topics: Astronomy, Observations and Techniques, Popular Science in Astronomy, History of Science
Industry Sectors: Aerospace, Electronics