Planetarium, Helios
Helios is a mechanical planetarium that models the Solar System with Mercury, Venus, Earth (with moon), Mars, Jupiter and Saturn in correct relative orbital speeds. The speed can be adjusted continuously – forwards and backwards – so that phenomena such as the retrograde motion of Mars can be clearly demonstrated. The removable dome shows the northern starry sky, and a separate 100 mm globe of the Earth is included for seasons, day and moon phases.
Please note that the model does not contain Neptune and Uranus.
Use of the product
In science/technology and physics/astronomy, students can investigate planetary orbits, synodic periods, lunar phases, eclipses, and seasons by combining the planetarium with the included globe. The model provides a tactile and visual bridge between observations in the sky and the underlying mechanical explanations.
Specifications
- Dimensions: (diameter) 30 cm