DIY Solar System Mechanical Orrery

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Ever since I first saw the giant orrery in The Dark Crystal, I wished for an orrery of my own. But look for one online, and they can go for hundreds of dollars - and those are just tabletop sized ones. So I then had an idea - I'll make one myself! I'm not privy to the method and mathematics of making it to scale, and to revolve at the correct speed around the sun, but I do know of a mechanism that rotates around a central point at different speeds...

A clock!

I used a clock kit by Walnut Hollow, with a center rod tall enough for 3/4" surfaces.

As for the base, I used one of the 4 inch (10cm) circular wooden bases from the unfinished wood section of craft stores, and drilled a hole in the center (using a 5/16 inch drill bit). Sometimes I use Red Mahogany stain, but for this one I just applied clear varnish to the outside to give it a bit of a shine.

I also have a 3D print file for an orrery base available for anyone who doesn't have a wood shop at their disposal, available at My Etsy. There are 3 sizes to choose from: 3.34 inch diameter (85 mm), 4 inch diameter (101 mm), and 5 inch diameter (127 mm). Works with resin and ABS 3D printers:

To fit the clock mechanism, I used a router to drill out the inner wood on the bottom, leaving about 3mm to remain undrilled. I added adhesive felt to help protect any surfaces it sits on, as well as give it a little more height. This way, the mechanism is accessed from the bottom and takes one AA battery.

I added the screw to the top to hold the mechanism in place, and then began working on bending wire to hold each of the planets. The plan of how the bodies would sit:

• Sun - Center, resting on second hand's base

• Second Hand - Mercury (visibly moves)

• Minute Hand - Venus, Earth (rotates completely over an hour)

• Hour Hand - Mars, Jupiter, Saturn (rotates completely over 12 hours)

• Stationary - Uranus, Neptune

I used head pin gold wire to match the gold of the center rod, and cut them to these sizes:

• 2 wires cut to 57mm. Bend 6mm on one end at a 90 degree angle, and coil the other end into a ring that will fit around the stationary rod. (sized 9mm diameter)

• 3 wires cut to 45mm. Bend 8mm on one end at a 90 degree angle, and coil the other end into a ring that will fit around the hour hand rod. (sized 6mm diameter)

• 2 wires cut to 27mm. Bend 5mm on one end at a 90 degree angle, and coil the other end into a ring that will fit around the minute hand rod. (sized 5mm diameter)

• 1 wire cut to 19mm. Bend 3mm on one end at a 90 degree angle, and coil the other end into a small ring that will fit around the second hand rod. (1mm diameter, or as small as you can get it.)

I used Mod Podge to fasten the rings onto their designated rod, so that they don't get dislodged from getting bumped.

Next, I chose beads that resemble the eight planets, and a giant yellow one to act as the sun. Each orrery is unique, because no two beads are the same. Sometimes a bead that I really like becomes impossible to find again, and it's an ever-changing collection. Below is an example of the size and color of beads for each:

• Sun: Yellow/Gold 18mm

• Mercury: White/Grey 3mm

• Venus: Yellow/Orange 6mm

• Earth: Blue/Green (mixed) 6mm

• Mars: Red/Maroon 5mm

• Jupiter: Cream/Brown (striped) 12mm

• Saturn: Cream/Gold 8mm

• Uranus: Light Blue 10mm

• Neptune: Navy Blue 10mm

I used Mod Podge in the center of each bead, and on the vertical portion of the rods, adding enough so that it's flush with the top of the bead when added. Below is the arrangement of the beads from above:

After using Mod Podge again on the center of the beads to hold them in place, I then bent one last wire to act as Saturn's rings:

1 wire cut to 57mm, and wrapped around Saturn in a spiral, to resemble rings. I also applied Mod Podge to the wire to hold it in place permanently.

Here's a video of how I put mine together, and an example of how the planets move around the center:

Add a AA battery, and watch it spin! I'd love to see your orreries, follow me on Bluesky, Instagram, and Tiktok and tag me so I can see!

And of course, if you would rather just have one made for you, you can always find completed orreries in My Store. Or feel free to ask if you have a request or questions!

Dimensions:

3" tall (5" with separate dome)

4" diameter base