Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: DiscoverDave on 09/07/2009 03:06:40

Title: An invention that finds the planets
Post by: DiscoverDave on 09/07/2009 03:06:40

I have invented a simple (ie, low-tech) device to find the planets in the sky.  It is something that would more likely belong in ancient times.  I think that kids 10yo and older could use it.  Of course, I'm thinking of marketing it, and I wonder how much it would appeal to consumers (ie, is it too low-tech, not electronic, etc)?

Title: An invention that finds the planets
Post by: Chemistry4me on 09/07/2009 03:16:27

What is it? How does it work basically?

Title: An invention that finds the planets
Post by: Chemistry4me on 09/07/2009 03:57:42

Is it just finding the planets or seeing them too?
The main thing is, would a 10 year-old or anyone want to buy this?

Title: An invention that finds the planets
Post by: Madidus_Scientia on 09/07/2009 09:43:23

Does it use camera film?

Title: An invention that finds the planets
Post by: neilep on 09/07/2009 09:51:03

Patent it !..if you're deadly serious about it then you simply have to patent it and find out that it is a unique product.

Title: An invention that finds the planets
Post by: RD on 09/07/2009 10:28:45

There are "goto" telescope mounts (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GoTo_%28telescopes%29), but they cost more than $20.

Your "invention" sounds a bit like an astrolabe (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrolabe).

Title: An invention that finds the planets
Post by: Soul Surfer on 09/07/2009 10:33:06

Do you really mean that it indicates where the known planets are in the sky once set up.  I doubt that you mean finds unknown planets.

The greeks made a device that would do this using gear wheels and they have been around as orrerys and astrolabes for many years.

Yuo can download free software on the wb that will show you this  so unless it has some real interest I doubt that it is particularly valuable

Title: An invention that finds the planets
Post by: Chemistry4me on 09/07/2009 12:14:25

Quote from: DiscoverDave on 09/07/2009 11:41:07

So I'd be better off to sell the rights to Edmund Scientific, and then I'd receive royalties from their sales.  Less profitable, but less risky.
By simple, I mean along the lines of the Antikythera mechanism and without electronics, batteries, software, downloads, etc.  Set it up, see where it's pointing into the sky, and there's your planet.  Simple.

Looks like you've got everything sorted already!

Title: An invention that finds the planets
Post by: RD on 09/07/2009 12:52:29

Free planet finder apps are available on the net ... e.g  http://www.lightandmatter.com/area2planet.shtml

And plastic versions for luddites ... http://www.onbrightsky.co.uk/stuff.htm#ephemeris

Title: An invention that finds the planets
Post by: neilep on 10/07/2009 00:38:03

Quote from: RD on 09/07/2009 12:52:29

Free planet finder apps are available on the net ... e.g  http://www.lightandmatter.com/area2planet.shtml

And plastic versions for luddites ... http://www.onbrightsky.co.uk/stuff.htm#ephemeris

great planet finder applet RD...