This instrument was made as an exhibition piece, and shows a type of device that was popular right through the Georgian and Victorian eras.

The following information can be gained from the Orrery: The time, and date. The phase of the moon, and the position of noon as it occurs around the world. It is therefore possible to watch the sun " rise and set" over a given area. The seasonal motion of the Earth is also shown.

All of the motions of the earth, and moon, are driven in real time by the 8 day clock movement. As you watch, the movement of the earth is not noticeable. However, if you were to note the position of the earth now, and look again in 2 or 3 hours time, you would see the earth had moved on. The moon is geared to 29.54 days rotation about the earth. The Earth and Moon together are driven round the Sun once in 365 days. (Mean Days).

The sun is represented by the brass ball in the middle of the date scale. The 2 inferior planets, Mercury and Venus, are represented by the 2 blue lapis stones, and are not driven by the clock.