2 models of the solar system

What is a solar system model?

Solar System models, especially mechanical models, called orreries, that illustrate the relative positions and motions of the planets and moons in the Solar System have been built for centuries. While they often showed relative sizes, these models were usually not built to scale.

How did the Solar System become a model?

The models of the Solar System throughout history were first represented in the early form of cave markings and drawings, calendars and astronomical symbols. Then books and written records became the main source of information that expressed the way the people of the time thought of the Solar System.

Which models were used to calculate the positions of planets and stars?

In class, we discussed three main models of the solar system that were used to calculate the positions of the planets and stars: the ancient Greek geocentric model as proposed by Ptolemy, the full heliocentric model by Copernicus, and the hybrid of these proposed by Brahe.

Are planetary models built to scale?

While they often showed relative sizes, these models were usually not built to scale. The enormous ratio of interplanetary distances to planetary diameters makes constructing a scale model of the Solar System a challenging task.

How difficult is constructing a scale model of the Solar System?

The enormous ratio of interplanetary distances to planetary diameters makes constructing a scale model of the Solar System a challenging task. As one example of the difficulty, the distance between the Earth and the Sun is almost 12,000 times the diameter of the Earth.

Why did astronomers use the Solar System model?

The use of the Solar System model began as a resource to signify particular periods during the year as well as a navigation tool which was exploited by many leaders from the past. Astronomers and great thinkers of the past were able to record observations and attempt to formulate a model that accurately interprets the recordings.