Orrery planetary model designed by William Pearson, 1813-1822

Mean Motion Orrery with drum case on claw foot stand showing seven planets out to Uranus by Robert Fidler, London. Designed by Rev. William Pearson in 1813 and described in Rees's Encyclopedia.

Dated 1813--22, this planetary model was designed by the astronomer, William Pearson and made in London by John Fidler. Called an orrery or planetarium, it is a demonstration model to show the motions of the Earth, Moon and planets around the Sun. This example has a brass drum base with pedestal stand and seven planets out to Uranus on long rod-arms. Such devices became popular during seventeenth century especially after Sir Isaac Newton published his universal theory of gravity. To reproduce the motions of the solar system this model employs a hand crank to drive gear wheels. This elaborate orrery is the only surviving example of several planetary models devised by William Pearson.