EP0397849A1 - Didactic apparatuses for teaching and representating particularly orbital phenomena and various motions - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus for representing orbital phenomena consists of: a sphere (20) pivoting along an inclined axis (8) on bearings (38, 60) integral with a support ring (23) mounted adjustable in a slide (26 ) and locked in the chosen position by means of a screw (28), a local horizon disk (1) pivoting on bearings of the sphere (20), an ecliptic crown (31) fixed on a ring (21) also pivoting around the axis of the world (8), of a geared motor (39) driving either the ecliptic crown rotating in the retrograde direction, or the celestial sphere (20) in the direct meaning, highlighting the change of frame of reference renewing the relationship between apparent movements and real movements; the didactic method implements an observer represented by a figurine (3) placed in the center of the horizon disc (1) itself crossed by the axis (8) integral at 90° with a cardinal axis allowing, in its rotation, to scan a virtual plane oriented North-South inside the ecliptic crown (31). The invention relates to users of teaching materials and materials for representing astronomical, physical and chemical phenomena, professionals in relation to astronomical phenomena and sunshine: farmers, architects and town planners, astrologers, chronobiologists, cosmetologists, sailors, oyster farmers, landscapers, thalassotherapists, etc...

Description

 Apparatus and didactic method for teaching and representing in particular orbital phenomena and various movements. The invention relates to apparatuses and a method for teaching and representing orbital phenomena and various movements studied in astronomy, physics and chemistry and in particular for making people understand and experiment how the relationship between apparent movements and real movements evolves when we change the reference frame. , according to the properties of this frame of reference and the movements which affect it.

It is known that many armillary spheres offer static and dynamic representations of the only solar system which do not conform to current astronomical data. It is known that certain armillary spheres are more in conformity with these data, but at the cost of conventions and abstractions taking the opposite of the perceptible astronomical data that a human observer could see located somewhere on the surface of the earth (first example, the earth is reduced to a virtual point located in the center of the sphere, the observer himself being reduced to an eye placed in this center; in the second example, the local horizon plane from which the observer is supposed to make his observation is by convention materialized by a flat crown located on the periphery and outside of the sphere, which endorses the fact that the terrestrial horizon would be outside the terrestrial globe and even, beyond the stars).

It is known that two-dimensional graphical representations present astronomical or physical phenomena, but that these representations are static, allow neither adjustments, nor prediction, nor change of point of view or frame of reference, neither reversibility, nor progressiveness of the education.

It is known that planetariums use optical means allowing representations of astronomical phenomena. Unfortunately this equipment is heavy, bulky, very expensive, and only return what is recorded.

T On the one hand, the spectator passively attends an imposed spectacle reproducing only phenomena observable in the night sky, in a certain place on earth, at a certain moment, the spectacle of the sky being generated by a precise horizon and therefore topocentric, and on the other hand by the spectator does not have an exocentric, more complete vision, of the movements and interactions of the solar system which can bring it to a better understanding of astronomy and, a fortiori, of physics and of chemistry not concerned by planetariums.

The apparatus and the didactic method, objects of the invention have the following advantages:

- correction of errors and shortcomings of previous teaching methods and machines, ^*

- extension of the teaching, representation and understanding possibilities of orbital phenomena to other scientific disciplines than astronomy such as physics and chemistry;

- carry out forecasts and measurements for most astronomical phenomena;

- switch at will from the topocentric vision of celestial phenomena from the local horizon to the exocentric vision of the earth taken globally and observed for example from outside the plane of the ecliptic;

- capture of rotation and revolution movements of the earth seen from the earth or from any point in space in a static or dynamic system, with reversible animation giving access to forecasts, comparisons, checks, measurements, errors and consequently, to a personalized learning of phenomena considered to date as very off-putting;

- reconsideration of the relationship between apparent movements and real movements, making it possible to no longer isolate lived astronomy from the abstract astronomy taught.

- concretely visualize the terrestrial globe under the local horizon plan; - measure the meridian height of a star at any point on the earth;

- measure the local solar time at all points of the earth;

- measure longitude at all points of the earth;

- measure local sidereal time;

- define the place of sunrise and sunset at any point on the earth,

- measure the local latitude angle;

- concretely materialize the sunlight, its angle of incidence on the local horizon, and the shade generated;

- concretely materialize the apparent vertical course of the sun on the plane of the ecliptic;

- visualize the equation of time;

- change of hemisphere by reversing the position of the poles;

The invention is described in detail in the following text, with reference to the accompanying drawings given by way of non-limiting examples, in which it has been shown:

- fig.l a horizon disc diagram;

- fig.2 a circular ring crossed by a primordial axis;

- fig.3 the horizon disc of fig.l surrounded by the eccentric of fig.2;

- figs 4,5 and 6, diagrams illustrating a simplified version of the device;

- Fig.7 a device according to the invention, the rotation of the ecliptic ring is motorized;

- fig.8 and 9 the detail of the horizon disc of the device;

- fig.10 the circles of the hourly grid of the sphere of one device;

- .fig.ll the graduation of two of the circles at the start of the season;

- fig.12 the graduation of the longitudes EAST and WEST;

- fig.13 the graduation indicating the latitude on the local meridian;

- fig.14 the graduation of the ecliptic ring;

- fig.15 the detail of the equation of time represented on the celestial sphere of the apparatus; - fig.16,17,18 and 19 the hoop with adjustable position of the movements of the moon and the details of realization;

- fig.20,21,22 the detail of the means of measuring the variable duration of twilight;

- Figs. 23 and 24 the means of materialization of the vertical course of the sun on the local meridian, relative to the ecliptic ring;

- fig.25 a mobile light source on the ecliptic ring;

- Figs. 26 and 27 the means of changing the topocentric / exocentric reference frame and the position of the primordial axis of the earth during its rotation around the sun and vice versa.

Fig. 1 represents a horizon disk whose two diameters oriented North-South and East-West determine an intersection here called primordial center, center occupied by a humanoid figure in position, standing and able to pivot in this center by 0 ° 360 °, the periphery of the disc corresponding to the horizon line in astronomy. Fig.2 shows a circular ring called eccentric, crossed at a characteristic angle by a primordial axis PP '.

Fig.3 shows the horizon disc of Fig.l surrounded by the eccentric of Fig.2, the outer edge of the disc being, vis-à-vis the inner edge of the eccentric. The primordial axis at 90 ° with the cardinal axis included in the plane of the horizon disc at a characteristic angle with the horizon disc, pivots around the primordial axis projecting from the disc at both ends and thus sweeps a plane oriented North-South.

Fig.4 shows the primordial virtual axis materialized by a first rotary tubular shaft and secured to the eccentric ring at a point by a hoop allowing unhindered scanning around the horizon disc.

Fig.5 shows a first transparent sphere called the inner sphere encompassing the horizon disc of fig.l, the disc having a cardinal axis whose two ends are integral with this sphere. Fig.6 shows a second transparent sphere called the outer sphere including the horizon plane, the inner sphere and the arch of the eccentric. A second rotary tubular shaft and integral with the cardinal axis included in the horizon disc at i'Gune line of axis coinciding with the primordial axis allowing the rotation of the horizon disc on itself. The two trees therefore make it possible to animate, reversibly or not and at will, separately or together, the eccentric and the horizon plane. The access opening to the eccentric and to the opening of the interior sphere is not apparent (it allows, after alignment of the two openings, to adjust the latitude angle of the horizon disc and introduce or remove any required sign or object).

Fig.7 shows an example of an apparatus according to the invention, the various relative movements of which it makes it possible to illustrate the didactic method which is developed below. It comprises:

- A universal local celestial sphere 20 produced in two parts 21, 22, made of transparent plastic, representing respectively the northern hemisphere 21 and the south 22;

- An outer support ring 23, of cylindrical section, on which are welded an upper pivot 24 and a lower pivot 25 of one primordial axis 8 of rotation of the sphere 20; The ring 23 is placed sliding in a slide 26 secured to a foot 27, immobilized by means of "a knurled screw 28 in the position chosen for a specific observation, northern or southern hemisphere because the ring 23 allows 'reverse the position of the poles;

- A second ring 30, of cylindrical section, acts as a support for an ecliptic flat ring 31 made in two half-parts to facilitate assembly and the details of which are shown in fig.17. This ring includes an upper bearing 32 and a lower bearing 33 secured to a pulley 34 allowing it to pivot about the axis 8; it turns at its lower part on an engaged shaft 35, at its upper part, in a bearing 36 fixed on the sphere 20 along the axis 8, its lower part 37 pivots in a bearing 38 welded to the ring 23

- A geared motor 39, on the output shaft of which is mounted a pulley 40, drives the pulley 34 in rotation by means of a belt 41 engaged in the corresponding groove of the pulley 34. Said gear motor is fixed on a support 42 welded to the support ring 23; The geared motor 39 allows the rotation to be driven, either from the ecliptic in a retrograde direction, or from the celestial sphere 20 in the direct direction by crossing the belt 41 on the pulleys or by reversing the direction of rotation of the geared motor in cooperation, or with a locking screw 43 screwed into the bearing 33 to drive the ecliptic in rotation, or with a screw 44 screwed into the bearing 36 of the sphere 20 to drive the latter in rotation. immobilization of the sphere during the motorized rotation or not of the ecliptic ring, or vice versa, by loosening these screws, makes it possible to rotate the sphere 20 however that the ecliptic ring is stationary, which highlights the difference between the real movement and the apparent daily and annual movement of the sun. Thus, for the topo-centered observer, placed at the primordial center of the local horizon disc, the ecliptic crown 31 is made mobile, and for the exocentric observer one immobilizes the ecliptic crown and by loosening the screws 63,64 one returns moving the small ball 50 (fig. 8,9) representing the terrestrial globe by rotating the sphere. This inversion will be even better understood with the additional device shown in Figs. 26 and 27.

- a horizon disk 1 mounted on pivots 45,46 each engaged in a corresponding bearing of the sphere 20 whose axis XX 'of rotation is materialized in the East-West axis (fig.8 and 9); the end of the pivots is threaded and each receives a nut button 47, 48 for operating the disc inside the sphere 20; a ribbon 49 of semi-rigid transparent plastic material is fixed in a hoop against the North / South edges of the disc 1 in line with the local meridian traced on the sphere, this ribbon 49 is graduated in latitude;

- A small sphere 50 representing the earth is fixed under the local horizon disk 1, at the primordial center; the local horizon disk is tangent to this terrestrial sphere at a point whose latitude is thus visually identifiable thanks to the North Pole-South Pole axis materialized here by the primordial axis;

a latitude selection index 55 fixed to the base of a tube 56 is engaged in the upper bearing 57 of the sphere 20 and in the upper bearing 32 of the ring 30, the index 55 is oriented by means of 'A small handle 58, the end of which is screwed into a thread of the tube 56 bearing against the top of the bearing 57. A hollow pin 59, acting as a pivot, is engaged in a bearing 60 welded on the internal side of the ring support 23, said ring 23 is open to allow passage of the pivot 59. This arrangement simplifies the assembly of the sphere / ring assembly. The. pivot 59 is immobilized on the bearing 60 by means of a screw 61, a second screw 61 immobilizes the sphere 20 in cooperation with the handle 58 blocking the pivot 59 on the tube 58. A spring 62 has been placed in the bottom of the tube 59 to allow the extraction of the pivot if we want to disassemble the sphere.

- A straight rod 66, passing through the tubular body 56 of the index finger and advancing to the primordial center. This rod materializes, for the local observer, the axis of the world, the direction of the pole star and the angle of latitude of the place formed between said rod and the direction South / North traced on the disc 1 of local horizon .

Fig.lO shows a means of measuring the local solar time materialized by three parallel circles drawn on the sphere 20, here called circles of the start of the season, graduated in 24 equal parts (fig.ll) indicating the hours from local meridian: a circle, for example yellow 71 arranged perpendicular to the primordial axis at the equator of the sphere, representing the local celestial equator as well as the trajectory of the sun at the equinoxes. This circle is graduated in 24 hours; - on either side of this first circle, at 23 ° 30 and parallel to it, we drew a red circle 72 representing the trajectory of the sun at the summer solstice for the northern hemisphere and a blue circle 73 representing the trajectory from the sun to the winter solstice for the northern hemisphere. On these three circles the hours are joined together by 24 portions 74 of hourly circles perpendicular to the first three circles, yellow, blue and red. The hourly grid thus formed allows the reading of the local solar time whatever the latitude, the day and the month of observation because the path of the sun always cuts this grid. It allows in particular to predict the time of sunrise and sunset, the moon and all the planets of the solar system, regardless of the present, past or future. It allows you to immediately find the duration of the day and the night in any place of the earth and at any time. It also makes it possible to define in which places of the earth and on what dates it will be daylight for 24 consecutive hours and more.

The equation of time has been plotted on the sphere in the form of a curve analogous to the sign of infinity, between the circles 72 and 73 of the two solstices straddling the local horizon meridian. This curve makes it possible to see concretely the difference between the average solar noon and the true solar noon, that is to say to predict when the sun is early or late when it passes through the local horizon meridian, compared to the legal average noon. Fig. 11 shows the means of measuring and representing local sidereal time. This is characterized by 24-hour graduations of the celestial equator (yellow circle) with a different color from that previously used for reading solar time. This measurement is made by coincidence of this graduation with a GAMMA index drawn at zero degrees of the ecliptic crown. Fig. 12 shows a way of choosing the longitude of the place of observation. On sphere 20, 75 graduations have been drawn around the north pole, 180 ° degrees EAST and 180 ° degrees WEST. The index 55 (fig.l), disposed against the internal wall of the sphere 20 secured to its operating tube 56, arranged on the primordial axis, is arranged to be immobilized by means of a screw 65 either on the meridian local, that of Greenwich. This device measures the time difference between two land locations chosen at will.

Fig. 13 shows the graduations indicating the latitude on the local meridian, identified in north latitude and south latitude. Fig. 14 shows the ecliptic crown 31 in top view graduated in twelve equal divisions from 0 to 360 ° and bearing characteristic dates of position of the sun as well as the point GAMMA or vernal point, joined to 0 °.

Fig. 15 shows the detail of the curve defining the equation of time whose position on the sphere 20 is shown in fig.10. The equation of time varies little from day to day. It is canceled four times a year on April 15, June 14, September 1 and December 25. The. greatest differences between midday and true noon are observed on February 11 and November 3 where they are respectively + 14mn 23 'and - 16mn 22'.

Figs. 16, 17, 18 and 19 show a ring 80 giving an exact account of the movements of the moon. It is produced by means of a tube cut into two equal parts 81, 82 each welded in the middle on a small U-shaped slide 83 engaged on the internal edge of the ecliptic ring 31, at an angle 84 of approximately 5 °. The two half-parts of the tubular ring 80 are secured together by means of two small pins 85, for example made of plastic, engaged in the facing ends (fig. 19). The ring 80 cuts the ecliptic crown in two points 86,87 which materialize the knots of the moon and whose position can be varied according to their own rhythm. This device makes it possible to precisely follow the evolution of the moon in the sky and to predict and visualize the mechanism of eclipses. This information is important in particular in biodynamic agriculture and for the definition of the tides (the tide is theoretically high when the moon passes at the meridian of the place. The periods of high tides take place when the moon and the sun are either in conjunction or in opposition, that is to say at 180 °; the dead-water periods occurring when the moon and the sun are in quadrature, that is to say at 90 ° from each other) .

Fig.17 further shows an example of mounting the two parts of the ecliptic ring on the support ring 23, by means of a sheath 86 having a bore 87 whose diameter takes account of the curvature of the ring on which it is engaged before welding of the bearings, a wide head bearing on the top of the crown 31 and a threaded seat 88 engaged in two half-holes of the two parts of the crown, the assembly being effected by means of a washer 89 and nut 90.

Fig. 20 shows a means for defining, in any place of the terrestrial globe, the place of "rising and setting" of the sun and of all the stars of the solar system. For this purpose, graduations 92 have been drawn in degrees around the periphery of the local horizon disc 1. The measurement is made in degrees of north or south azimuth.

Figs. 20, 21 and 22 show a means of representing the duration of twilight at any place on the earth and at any time, characterized in that the horizon disc 1 is provided with a thickness over which several lines have been traced. circles parallel to the faces of the disc, here called twilight circles. The intersection of the horizon circle with the hourly grid gives the start of twilight; the intersection of a chosen twilight circle gives the end of the corresponding type of twilight: civil, astronomical, nautical. The path of the sun is shown in thick lines by way of example: the path 95 from the sun to the equator is vertical, the passage from day to night is therefore very short, of the order of 15 '; In Example 96, the path of the sun is tilted at 60 °, the duration 97 of twilight is relatively long; as its trajectory tilts, 98, the duration 99 lengthens. This arrangement makes it possible to visualize and understand this notion, which is difficult to perceive in the abstract.

Fig. 23 shows a way of materializing the rising and falling movement of the sun in the meridian plane, every day at noon during a whole year. This means consists of a small ball 102 sliding on the support ring 23 of the primordial axis of the sphere 20 arranged concentrically and externally to the local horizon meridian, and rolling on the ecliptic crown 31. This movement allows, in a single turn of the ecliptic crown, to visualize the movement of rising and falling of the sun represented by the ball 102 between the two solstices (circles 73,73 fig.10) and to locate with precision the moment and the point of cusp of the sun in its annual race. The small ball 102 is preferably made of plastic in two parts 103,104 (fig.24) held together by two pins 105. force fitted into one of the two parts and tightening on the second to facilitate their implementation.

Fig. 25 shows a way to make sensitive the concept of day, night and seasons. This means consists in placing, on the internal edge of the ecliptic crown 31, a point light source 110 representing the sun. It is carried out by means of a small electric bulb powered by a small suitable interchangeable electric cell placed in a plastic housing 111. This housing comprises a slide 112 engaged with a slight tightening on the internal edge of the ecliptic ring 31, said slide making it possible to move the pseudo sun over the entire length of said ring. When this light source is above the horizon disk 1, and the lit one, it is "THE DAY"; when this source is obscured by the horizon disk, it is "LA NUIT"; its presence above the horizon disk is more or less long, its height is more or less large which concretely illustrates the concept of season.

This light source faithfully reproduces the shadows generated by the sun and their evolution during the day and during the year. It makes it possible to read the local solar time on a sundial placed at the primordial center of the device, thanks to the shade produced by this source. In addition, the comparison between the real shadow produced by the sun at time t and that produced by the light source of the device, makes it possible to deduce the day and time, or even the latitude of the place of observation . Figs. 26 and 27 show a means of simultaneous representation of real movements (seen in exocentric), i.e. the rotation of the earth around its axis in 24 hours and the revolution of the earth around the sun in one year, either apparent movements (seen in topocentricity), that is to say the course of the sun around the earth in 24 hours and the course of the sun on the ecliptic in one year. It comprises a support plate 115 on which two shouldered axes 116, 117 have been mounted, one representing YY 'the position of the earth and the other ZZ' the position of the sun; each of these axes comprises, a threaded seat 118 on which the handles 119,120 are screwed to the bottom of the thread leaving a slight clearance between the plate 115 and the handle 119,120, allowing their rotation. The axes 116,117 each have a bearing 122 on which is engaged a pulley with a round groove 123,124 immobilized in rotation by a screw 125 provided with a large head in which a milled groove serves as a guide for a half ring 126 on which is welded a second ring 127 representing the ecliptic; on the base of the half ring 126 is welded an axis 128 provided with a bearing engaged in a hole drilled in the pulley 123 inclined along the primordial axis 8, said axis is pierced with a hole acting as a bearing to a welded axis under a ring 130 supporting an equatorial ring 131 perpendicular to the primordial axis 8 on two articulation of which pivots a disc of local horizon 132. The pulleys 123,124 are driven in synchronism by a belt 134. The pulley 124 is made integral with the axis 117 by a screw 136 whose head 137 is extended by a rod 138 whose free end receives a small ball 139 representing the sun , glued on a shoulder 140. The axes YY 'and ZZ' are distant so that the small ball 139 representing the sun moves near the ecliptic ring 127. The plate 115 extends on each side beyond pulleys, by handles 142,143. When we hold the vertical handle 119 and push on the handle 143, we observe the apparent movement of the sun revolving around the earth. When we hold the vertical handle 120 and push the handle 142, we observe the real movement of the earth around the sun. This means of representation makes it possible, when we change the frame of reference (topo or exocentric), to understand how apparent movements and real movements are reversed.

This means also highlights the fact that the axis 8 of the earth remains parallel to itself during the revolution of the earth around the sun, which is a very abstract phenomenon outside of any dynamic representation. As already mentioned in the description in fig. 7, to facilitate the observation of astronomical phenomena observable in the southern hemisphere, the support ring 23 slides in a slide 26 in which it can be locked in any which position so as to orient the whole apparatus under the angle most favorable for the users. The most favorable angle, for example for an exocentric observer who watches the earth spinning on itself, is that which corresponds to the horizontal and motionless ecliptic crown. The device makes it possible to observe the gradual transition from the northern hemisphere to the southern hemisphere and to visualize the progressive transformation of the spectacle of the various celestial phenomena both in their form and in the places where they occur, for example the inversion different figures of the phases of the moon, constellations of the zodiac, to raise and set the various stars.

The didactic method to teach and visualize orbital phenomena and various movements studied in astronomy, physics and chemistry, uses a local planet horizon plane or a secant nucleus plane materialized by a local horizon disk 1 whose periphery corresponds to the horizon line (2) visible by an observer placed in its center, this so-called topocentric observer is advantageously materialized by a humanoid figurine (3) in a standing position and able to pivot on itself by 360 °. The primordial center 4 of this disc 1 is materialized by the intersection of two perpendicular diameters whose ends figured on the disc indicate the orientation, for example, of the cardinal points: North-South, East-West. This horizon disc is suitable for receiving signs, graphics or objects materializing astronomical or topographical concepts such as graduation of the azimuth, meridian of the place, compass, compass, celestial equator, or physical and chemical concepts such as nucleus, electron, etc. The didactic method offers the taught person an ability to change the observation frame of reference, that is, on the one hand, to identify with the aforementioned figurine and thus place himself in the position of observer. phenomena that manifest themselves in the celestial, physical or chemical visual field, above the local horizon plane, and on the other hand not to identify with said figurine in order to have access to a different vision of the system studied.

The didactic method advantageously uses the use of an orbital plane materialized with the aid of a circular ring called eccentric 5 singled out by its inner edge 6 representing an orbit, for example the ecliptic, and being located opposite screw with the outer edge 7 of the horizon disk 1, distinguished by the ability of this ring to be provided with various signs or objects representing celestial bodies, nuclei, electrons, particles, or scientific information such as vernal point, graduations , zodiac signs, etc ..., finally distinguished by the ability of this ring to join either with a flat crown materializing more widely the plane of the orbit (for example the plane of the ecliptic), or with a whole sphere advantageously carrying stars, electrons, particles etc ..., either with a spherical zone materializing a portion of sphere (for example the zodiacal band in a celestial sphere). This zodiacal band is preferably made of transparent plastic material mounted on the outer edge of the ecliptic ring 31 by means of a slide 86 (fig.17). The relative movement of this band around the crown is done in 26,000 years and highlights the shift of the signs of the zodiac with the constellations of the same name. The didactic method advantageously resorts to the use of a first virtual axis called the primordial axis 8PP 'corresponding for example to the axis of the world in astronomy, distinguished by the fact that it crosses the center of the eccentric ring 5 forming a fixed angle characteristic of the place of origin of the topocentric observation, for example an angle of 66 ° 30 'for an observer placed on a plane of the terrestrial horizon), distinguished by the fact that it crosses the center of the horizon disc 4 by forming a variable and adjustable angle at will and that it always remains contained in the plane perpendicular to the horizon disk along the North-South orientation line, distinguished by the fact that the center of the eccentric ring 5 and the center of the horizon 4 disc coincide on it, singled out by the fact that it indicates in the direction P the direction of the North-South pole (for example the celestial North pole materialized by the pole star).

The didactic method advantageously resorts to the use of a second virtual axis called cardinal axis 9, distinguished by the fact that it is contained in the horizon disc and that it coincides with the East-West orientation line of this same disc, singled out by the fact that the primordial axis 8 is perpendicular thereto, that their intersection coincides with the primordial center 4, and that the horizon disc 1 can pivot around it, just like the primordial axis 8. The didactic method advantageously resorts to the use of a meridian plane of the horizon disc materialized by the scanning which the line of primordial axis 8 performs during its rotation around the line of cardinal axis 9.

The didactic method advantageously resorts to the use of the latitude of the horizon plane (for example, of the local horizon plane in astronomy), materialized by the angle that forms the line of primordial axis with the orientation line. North-South of the horizon disk.

The didactic method presents an aptitude of the eccentric ring 5 to serve as a track for the orbital displacement of various bodies such as electrons or for example sun, moon, planets in astronomy.

The didactic method advantageously resorts to the use of a virtual spherical zone materialized for example using the scanning which the above-mentioned eccentric ring performs during a rotary movement around the primordial axis, thus offering the observer 3 topocentric and motionless on the horizon plane 1, itself motionless, the representation of orbital movements, for example of movements of revolution of planets represented on the eccentric ring 5 allowing for example to represent in astronomy the phenomenon of day, night and seasons.

The didactic method advantageously resorts to the use of a • partial concealment of the eccentric ring 5 obtained by the scanning which the horizon disk 1 performs during a rotary movement around the primordial axis 8, allowing for example to represent in astronomy the phenomenon of the day and the night in any place and any season.

The didactic method advantageously uses a first transparent sphere called the inner sphere 10 which includes the horizon disc 1 whose diameter is almost equal to that of the sphere, the horizon disc 1 thus included having a cardinal axis 9 of which the two ends 11 are integral with this sphere 10. The virtual primordial axis 8 of the interior sphere is materialized by a first tubular shaft 12 rotating and integral with the eccentric ring 5 at at least one point. by any means allowing unimpeded scanning around the horizon disc (for example one or more arches 13). A second tubular shaft 14 rotatable and integral with the cardinal axis 9 included in the horizon disk 1 and whose axis line coincides with the primordial axis 8 allows rotation of the horizon disk on itself, the inner sphere 10 being optionally provided with an opening enabling any means of adjusting the angle of latitude of the horizon disk 1 to be used and any required sign or object to be introduced or removed.

The didactic method uses a second transparent sphere called the outer sphere 15, which includes the first sphere 10 with a larger diameter allowing the free internal rotation of at least one eccentric ring 5. The first and second aforementioned rotary tubular shaft extend out of the outer sphere 15 with optional dual movement, simultaneous or independent of one another. The outer wall of the outer sphere may be provided, temporarily or permanently, with any required sign or object and be provided with an opening advantageously alignable with the opening of the inner sphere, making it possible to involve any means of adjusting the 'angle of latitude of the horizon disc and to introduce or remove any required sign or object, both vis-à-vis the inner sphere and the eccentric ring (s).

The outer sphere can advantageously be replaced by a support ring 23 carrying the bearings of the primordial axis 8.

The didactic method according to the invention makes it possible to teach and represent progressively or degressively, statically or dynamically, or even reversibly, a large number of orbital phenomena and various movements studied in astronomy, physics and chemistry. It makes it possible to make forecasts, verifications and corrections of errors, the orbital phenomena being able to appear by manual or motorized animation, or by stop in static position. The didactic method according to the invention concerns in particular the manufacturers and users of didactic materials and of representation of the astronomical, physical and chemical phenomena as well as the various professionals in connection with the astronomical phenomena, farmers, chronobiologist sailors, astrologers etc. and those related to sunshine, architects, town planners, landscapers, cosmetologists, thalassotherapy, oyster farmers etc.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 - Apparatus and didactic method for teaching and representing in particular orbital phenomena and various movements, studied in astronomy, physics and chemistry, characterized by the use of a local horizon plane of planet or secant nucleus plane, materialized by a disc called here local horizon disc (1), singled out by its periphery corresponding to the horizon line (2) visible by an observer placed in its center, this so-called topocentric observer being itself advantageously materialized by a humanoid figurine (3) in a standing position and able to pivot on itself from 0 to 360 °, distinguished by its center here called the primordial center (4) materialized by the intersection of two perpendicular diameters, the ends of which appear on the disc (1 ) indicate the orientation, for example the cardinal points: North-South, East-West, distinguished by its aptitude to receive signs or objects materializing astronomical concepts ques, geographic or topographical such as graduations of the azimuth, meridian of the place, compass, celestial equator, trajectory of the equinoxes and solstices, or physical and chemical concepts such as nucleus, electrons, etc., characterized secondly by the double attitude offered to the taught person to change the reference frame of observation by identifying himself on the one hand with the aforementioned figurine, thus placing himself in the position of observer of the phenomena which appear in the celestial, physical or visual field chemical, above the local horizon disk, and on the other hand not to identify with the said figurine in order to have access to a different vision of the system studied, characterized in the third place by the use of '' an orbital plane materialized using a circular ring called eccentric (5) singled out by its inner edge (6) representing an orbit (for example 1 ecliptic) and being in vis-à-vis with the outer edges (7) of the horizon disk (1), and distinguished by the ability of this ring to be provided with various signs or objects representing celestial bodies, nuclei, electrons, particles, or scientific information such as the vernal point, graduations, zodiac signs ..., and finally distinguished by the ability of this ring to solidify either with a flat crown materializing more widely the plane of the orbit (for example the plane of the ecliptic), either with a spherical zone materializing a portion of sphere (for example the "zodiacal band" in a celestial sphere, or with a whole sphere advantageously carrying stars, electrons, particles, etc .., characterized in fourth place by the use of a first virtual axis called the primordial axis (8) PP 'corresponding for example to the axis of the world in astronomy, distinguished by the fact that it crosses the center of the 'eccentric ring (5) by forming a fixed angle characteristic of the place of origin of the topocentric observation (for example an angle of 66 ° 30' for an observer placed on a disc of terrestrial horizon), singularized by the fact that it t overturns the center of the horizon disc (4), forming a variable and adjustable at will and that it always remains contained in the plane perpendicular to the horizon disc along the North-South orientation line, distinguished by the fact that the center of the eccentric ring (5) and the center of the horizon disc (4) coincide on it, singled out by the fact that it indicates in the direction P the direction of the North Pole and in the direction P 'the direction of the South Pole (for example the celestial North Pole materialized by the pole star, characterized in 5th place by the use of a second virtual axis called cardinal axis (9), singularized by the fact that it is contained in the horizon disc and that it coincides with the East-West orientation line of this same disc, singled out by the fact that the primordial axis (8) is perpendicular to it, that their intersection coincides with the primordial center (4) , and that the horizon disk 1 can pivot around it, just like the primordial axis (8), characterized in 6th place by the use of a meridian plane of the horizon disc materialized by the scanning that the line of primordial axis (8) performs during its rotation around the line of cardinal axis (9), characterized in 7th place by the use of the latitude of the horizon plane (for example, of the local horizon plane in astronomy), materialized by the angle that forms the line of primordial axis with the line of orientation North -South of the horizon disc, characterized in 8th place by the ability of the eccentric ring (5) to serve as a track, for the orbital movement of various bodies such as electron, or for example sun, moon, planets year astronomy, characterized in 9th place by the use of a virtual spherical zone materialized for example by means of the scanning which the above-mentioned eccentric ring makes during a rotary movement around the primordial axis, thus offering to the observer (3) topocentric and motionless on the horizon disk (1), itself motionless (1), the representation of orbital movements, for example of movements of revolution of planets represented on the eccentric ring (5) allowing to represent in astronomy the phenomenon of the day , at night, characterized in lOth place by the use of a partial occultation of the eccentric ring (5) obtained by the scanning which the horizon disc (1) performs during a setting in rotary movement around of the primordial axis (8) allowing for example to represent thus, in astronomy, the phenomenon of the day and the night in any place and any season.

2 - Apparatus and teaching method according to claim 1, characterized in the first place in that a first transparent sphere, called inner sphere (10), includes the horizon disc (1) whose diameter is almost equal to that of the sphere, in that the horizon disk (1) thus included has a cardinal axis (9), the two ends (11) of which are integral with this sphere (10), in that the virtual primordial axis (8) is materialized by a first tubular shaft (12) rotating and integral with the eccentric ring • (5) at at least one point by any means allowing unimpeded scanning around the horizon disc (for example one or more arches (13 ), in that a tubular shaft (14) rotatable and integral with the cardinal axis (9) included in the horizon disk (1) and whose axis line coincides with the primordial axis (8), allows a rotation of the horizon disc on itself, in that the inner sphere (10) is provided with an opening making it possible to use any means of adjusting the angle of latitude u horizon disc (1) and introduce or withdraw any required sign or object.

3 - Apparatus and method according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that a 2nd transparent sphere called the outer sphere (15) includes the 1st sphere (10) with a larger diameter allowing the free internal rotation of at least one eccentric ring (5), in that the aforesaid 1st and 2nd rotary tubular shafts extend outside the external sphere (15), with double setting in faculative movement, simultaneous or independent of one another, in that the wall outer of the sphere may be temporarily or permanently provided with any required sign or object, in that the outer sphere is provided with an opening advantageously alignable with the opening of the inner sphere, allowing any means of adjustment to be used of the angle of latitude of the horizon disc and to introduce or remove any sign or objects required both vis-à-vis the inner sphere and the eccentric ring (s).

4 - Apparatus and method according to claims 1,2 and 3, characterized in that they allow to switch at will from the topocentric vision of celestial phenomena, from the local horizon, to the exocentric vision of the earth taken globally and observed for example from outside the plane of the ecliptic, in that they allow the capture of the rotational and revolution movements of the earth, seen from the earth or from any point in space in a static system or dynamic, with reversible animation giving right to forecasts, verifications, comparisons, error, and consequently, a personalized learning of phenomena considered to date as very forbidding, in that the change of frame of reference became possible allows us to reconsider the relationship between apparent movements and real movements, and to no longer isolate lived astronomy from the abstract scientific astronomy taught to date.

5 - Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises:

- a support ring (23) provided with two lower and upper bearings (38, 60),

- A ring (30) on which is fixed an ecliptic crown (31) made of two identical parts assembled by a clamping means integral with the ring (30), in that said ecliptic crown is made of material making it possible to slide on its internal edge, figurines of stars, in that said ring (30) further comprises an upper bearing (32) and a lower bearing (33) mounted on the lower pivot (25) and the upper pivot (24),

- a celestial sphere (20) assembled in two parts comprising a lower bearing (36) and an upper bearing (62) coinciding with the primordial axis (8), as well as two bearings arranged on the celestial equator perpendicular to the local meridian,

- a local horizon disk (1) provided with two pivots (45, 46) crossing the universal local celestial sphere (20) and the threaded end of each of which receives a disk operating button (1)

- a small ball (50) fixed tangentially to the primordial center under the disc (1),

- an index (55) for adjusting the longitude, fixed to a tubular axis (56) passing through the upper pivot (24), comprising a means of immobilization on the upper bearing (60) of the ring (23),

a means for driving in rotation (39) either of the celestial sphere (20) or of the ecliptic crown (31) by making the drive axis (63) moved by a geared motor (39) fixed on the support ring (23), integral either with the lower bearing of the sphere (20) by means of a locking (65), or with the lower bearing of the ring (30) supporting the ecliptic crown by a locking means (64 ), a straight rod (66) engaging in the tubular axis (56) up to the primordial center, comprising at its end a small ball P representing the pole star,

- A means for reversing the position of the poles, consisting of a slide (26) in which is engaged the support ring (23) immobilizable in a position of your choice by means of a locking screw (28) integral with a foot (27).

6 - Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the means for measuring the meridian height consists of a thin strip, of semi-rigid transparent material, fixed on the sides of the horizon disc ( 1), along the local meridian (70) engraved on the celestial sphere, in that said strip has graduations in degrees of north latidude and south latitude.

7 - Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the means for measuring the local solar time and the sidereal time is materialized by three, parallel circles (71, 72, 73) called here beginning of season circles, arranged perpendicular to the primordial axis (8), all three graduated in 24 solar hours and in that the central circle (71) represents the celestial equator and is graduated in 24 sidereal hours. The sidereal time reading is obtained on this circle by coincidence of the graduation (71) with a GAMMA index drawn at zero degrees of the ecliptic crown (31), in that the upper circle (72) represents the summer solstice for the northern hemisphere and the lower circle (73) represents the winter solstice for the northern hemisphere, in that on these three circles the hours are joined together by 24 portions of perpendicular circles (74) defining a time grid , in that we have drawn, on the sphere (20), the curve of the equation of time (76) straddling the local horizon meridian between the circles (72, 73) of the summer solstices and winter 8 - Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the means for measuring the longitude of the place of observation is materialized by graduations (75) in 180 ° degrees WEST and 180 ° degrees EAST around the pole North, in that said graduations cooperate with the index (55) disposed against the inner wall of the sphere, in that said index is arranged to be immobilized either on the local meridian or on the green ich meridian.

9 - Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the means for defining the place of sunrise and sunset and any star of the solar system, in any place and at any time is materialized by a graduation in degrees (92) around the periphery of the horizon disk (1), the measurement being made in degrees of north or south azimuth.

10 - Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the local latitude angle is materialized between the rod (66) engaged in the tubular support (56) from the index to the primordial center and the SOUTH / NORTH direction plotted on the local horizon disc (1).

11 - Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the means of concrete materialization of sunlight consists of a small electric bulb (110) powered by a battery, disposed in a housing (111) comprising a slide (112) engaged on the internal edge of the ecliptic crown (31).

12 - Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the means for defining the duration of the different twilights, civil, nautical, astronomical, consists of a graduation materialized by circles (94) plotted on the thickness of the horizon disc (1) parallel to the face of the disc, the duration corresponds to the length (95, 96, 97) of the path of the sun between the corresponding circles.

13 - Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the means for accounting for the movements of the nodes of the moon consists of a ring (80) fixed inclined at 5 ° with respect to the plane of the ecliptic , on two slides (83) engaged on the internal edge of the ecliptic crown (31).

14 - Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the means for materializing the vertical course of the sun in the meridian plane, each day at noon during a whole year, consists of a small ball , representing the sun, sliding on the support ring (23) and rolling simultaneously on top of the ecliptic crown (31), in that said ball is produced in two parts assembled together.

15 - Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the means materializing the transition from topocentric observation to exocentric observation comprises:

- a support plate (115),

- two pulleys (124), driven by a belt (134), distant so that a small ball 139, representing the sun, moves near the outside of an ecliptic ring (127) secured to a support half-ring (126) comprising means for fixing to the pulley (123), said half-ring (126) is provided with a bearing 128 inclined along the primordial axis (8), in which the pivot d 'a ring (130) integral with a second ring (131) representing the celestial equator on which a local horizon disc (132) is articulated,

- handles (119, 120) each freely rotating in a corresponding hole in the plate (115),

- handles (142, 143) formed on the ends of the plate (115).