Accession No
5811
Brief Description
astronomical model of earth’s elliptical orbit, by Henri Robert, French, late 19th Century
Origin
France; Paris
Maker
Robert, Henri
Class
astronomy
Earliest Date
1850
Latest Date
1900
Inscription Date
Material
metal (brass); wood (walnut)
Dimensions
height 127mm
Special Collection
Provenance
Purchased from Christie’s LOS ANGELES, 360 North Camden Drive, Beverly Hills, California, 90210, USA, on 17/10/2000.
Inscription
HENRI ROBERT, PARIS
inscribed on the underside of the walnut base
révolution de l'orbite en 1110,000ans
Description Notes
Astronomical model of earth’s elliptical orbit, by Henri Robert, French, late C19th.
Made from lacquered brass with a walnut base. Has a rotating open quartered circle representing orbital ellipse to show the Earth's elliptical orbit and disparate length of the seasons.
References
Events
Description
This brass astronomical model was made in nineteenth-century Paris by Henri Robert, and was probably designed to serve as an educational tool. It demonstrates the elliptical movement of the Earth according to seasons.
Three-dimensional models are useful for explaining the principles of astronomy, because astronomy takes place in three-dimensional space. To measure the position of a star or other celestial body, you imagine it to be located on a sphere surrounding the earth – the celestial sphere. You can then plot its position on the sphere using co-ordinates. The sphere is imagined to turn around earth once every 24 hours. A model of the sphere with moving parts can show you how the different parts of the sphere relate to each other.
17/03/2014
Created by: Allison Ksiazkiewicz on 17/03/2014
FM:46216
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