The Kepler Mission Education team has produced a table top model demonstrating the principle of how Kepler will find extrasolar planets by the transit method. Components include:
- LEGO orrery (model planet system),
- Light (model star),
- Light sensor (model Kepler photometer),
- Computer interface (model Deep Space Network), and
- Computer graphic software (model Kepler Science Office)
Download detailed instructions:
- Complete Kepler Planet Transit Demonstration (with LEGO orrery—3 Mb PDF; 2006)
- LEGO Orrery Building Instructions for Teacher Workshops 2008-2009 (LEGO orrery only—2008-2009 Kepler Teacher Workshop version - PDF - 820 kb)
See also:
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Components of Transit Demo Setup
Alas, there is no LEGO kit for this orrery.
Parts for the orrery can be acquired:
- Parts list for 2006 model orrery (pdf)
- Parts list for 2009 model orrery (Excel file - teacher workshop version)
- W979649 - Technology Resource Set (has most of the parts needed, is to be discontinued soon--as of May 2009)
- Large Turntable Gear Turntable Top Base 7249, also known as Technic Turntable Large Type 1, Complete Assembly is available from secondary sellers such as Bricklink and eBay, at various prices, from $2.50 plus shipping and handling.
- For motorized version (optional) you would also need W979615 - 9V motor and battery
($35, Nov 2007)
- http://www.legoeducationstore.com
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Below:
The 4-planet LEGO orrery devised by Dave Koch, Kepler Deputy PI.
Click on picture for bigger version.
Update: Sep 2005 from Dave Koch:
[click photos for larger version]
| I made modifications to nearly every part of the model so it is more robust: the base has more blocks, the crank handle has bigger blocks, the outer two planets have their beam ends positively captured rather than just stuck on and do not flex as much. The inner most planet's beam is centered. etc. |
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| For the outer most planet, I found that the Lego set has a white gear without any knobs on it. The knobs are what were jamming in the first generation design. I then put extra spacers on the shafts. The smooth gear doesn't need the spacers so they came out making the gear box for the outer planet more compact. |
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The Moon:
This is real easy to add to the current design. It just involves adding the 4 gear pairs to the existing second planet beam. (I really wanted to use up more of the parts from the Lego set.) The moon I made simply by putting a few coats of white nail polish on the head of a pin. I then heat the end of the pin with a match until it glows red hot and then quickly stick it into the Lego post. |
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LEGO Orrery with 8 bodies:
5 planets and 3 moons, by Robert Munafo.
See Video
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8-body model by Robert Munafo
[click for larger picture]
This model has more irregular orbit periods, and is constructed entirely out of parts from LEGO sets 8273 (Off Road Truck, $50) and 8287 (Motor Set, $30) with 12-, 20-, and 36-tooth gears, and a red transmission adapter ring essential for getting a 5th planet.
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