Bringing the machine into the classroom and the gallery

Three ready-made experiments (15–30 minutes)

1. Predict an eclipse. Press “Next eclipse”: the machine points to the Saros cell; the sky panel says whether it will be visible from your town (set the place). Then compare with an astronomical calendar.
2. Measure 22 centuries of error. Press “Travel from 205 BC to today” with the calibration on the epoch: the Sun pointer drifts ~17 days from the true Sun. Question for the class: why? (the 365.25-day year).
3. Where does 254/19 come from? In the expert view, follow the train b2→c1, c2→d1, d2→e2 and multiply the tooth ratios: 64/38 × 48/24 × 127/32 = 254/19. The Moon returns to the same star 254 times in 19 years.

In the classroom

• Simple view for primary and lower-secondary school; expert view for upper-secondary and university (tooth tables, ratios, errors in degrees).
• The 3D model is explored with the mouse or fingers; “Explode the mechanism” separates all parts to see the inside.
• If a computer does not support 3D, the calculator still works.

In the museum

• The 3D model only page in full screen works as an interactive station (touch, pinch to zoom).
• A kiosk mode with reduced texts and automatic reset is in development. in development
• For a physical version or a dedicated installation see Build It and write to us.

What is coming

Downloadable worksheets for three levels, a buildable kit of the solar-lunar train, and the kiosk mode. To be notified or to propose a trial in your school: Join the Project.