Motorised Solar System and Planetarium
[8+]

Bring the solar system to life with a flick of a switch!

Learn your way around the solar system! Light and motion give this model a dynamic way to demonstrate the workings of the solar system. Want to expand young astronomers' horizons further? Bring the night sky into your home or classroom! Use the stardome to create your own personal planetarium. Learn to locate constellations and planets any night of the year (depends on night viewing conditions).

Two astronomy discovery products in one!

1. The motorized model demonstrates the workings of the solar system with light and motion. A lit yellow sun shines on all the orbiting planets and black central tower and support rods disappear in a darkened room. Longitudinal markings on the model's base lets you correctly position the planets. A guide includes reference charts and activities.
2. Turn your room into a Planetarium! Fit the star dome over the light to project stars on the walls and ceiling, to help you learn the constellations!

Awards given by:

• Child Magazine - Best toys of the Year Award,
• The National Parenting Centre Seal of Approval
• Canadian Toy Testing Council Award

Requires 4 C batteries (not included).

Note that the planets in this toy all orbit at the same rate, i.e. they don't orbit at rates relative to their years. For this you'd need a much more expensive orrery.

An orrery is a mechanical device that illustrates the relative positions and motions of the planets and moons in the solar system in heliocentric model. They are typically driven by a clockwork mechanism or electric motor with a globe representing the Sun at the center, and with a planet at the end of each of the arms.
Orrerys are sometimes referred to as planetariums, although generally, planetariums are hemispherical theaters in which images of the night sky are projected onto an overhead surface. Orreries can range widely in size from hand-held to room-sized.
The solar system consists of the Sun; the nine planets, sixty eight (68) satellites of the planets, a large number of small bodies (the comets and asteroids), and the interplanetary medium.