Ellie’s Annulus

Ellie’s Annulus displays the Big 3: the Sun, the Earth, and the Moon. Some might recognize these better as Sun-Moon-Rising. With just these 3 components, this Annulus can show:

· Time of Day (like a clock, or sundial)

· Time of Month (phases of the moon)

· Time of Year (like a calendar, or stonehenge)

If a user takes into consideration the North & South Lunar Nodes, and Lunar Apogee & Perigee, Wesley’s Annulus can also display celestial phenomena like Supermoons, and Solar Eclipses.

Adding the Moon

Ellie’s Annulus features the addition of the Moon, Earth’s large and shifting satellite. It continues to function as Wesley’s does, as a clock and a calendar by using the relationship between the Sun and Earth. By the Moon gives a time-keeping measurement between Days and Years: Months!

Following the Moon along its journey is as easy as waking up and moving its marble forward just one divot. This daily exercise teaches one to be in tune with its phases, including what times and where to look for it in the sky. Displayed here is the Moon as it approaches its 1st-quarter, where it always Culminates at Sunset.

At Night, The Stars come out to shine

While the Night Side of Wesley’s Annulus only displays the Ecliptic (the path the Sun follows through the sky), Ellie’s shows us why it is called the Night Side. Her Annulus depicts the 12 iconic Zodiacal Constellations it passes through during the year. A few additional constellations appear: Orion, Hydra, Corvus, Crater, Bootes, Lyra, Aquilla, Delphinus, and Pegasus.

These features augment the ability of the Annulus to show Time of Year. Of course the Big 3 can be shown, but more spheres can be placed on this side to show other celestial bodies, like planets.

This design allows for the utilization of both star-based Sidereal Zodiacs, and the season-based Tropical Zodiac. Procession of the Equinoxes can be explained and accounted for. In addition to the 12 Solar Signs, systems of Decans and Lunar Mansions can also be learned and used.

In these two photos, we can observe the Waning Crescent Moon rising before Sunrise, and then the Waxing Gibbous Moon Rising before Sunset, respectively. Opposite phase moons rise at opposite times! The first chart was from Summer 2022, Sun conjunct Regulus, with the Moon above Orion. The Waxing Gibbous was two weeks later, as Sun moved further into the Lion, and Moon passed the Archer.

Ellie is my youngest sister. I remember walking around on my college campus when I got the phone call that my Mom was pregnant with her. Having gone to school out-of-state, this means I have never lived with Ellie, already being an adult before she was born!

She’s grown up in a very different world than I did, being in 1st grade when quarantine began in the Spring of 2020. She really struggled through the transition to online learning and socialization that year. As I heard about her experience in home- and hybrid-style school, I felt a greater desire to make the boards I was designing both an educational tool, and a fun, creative activity.

Who is Ellie?

Light up the stars with your hands

The day side of Ellie’s Annulus was designed with Kinder-gardeners in mind (though, all those who have an interest in understanding astronomy better, and having a relationship with the Sun and Moon can find value in using it). But night side is a bit more complex, so a child’s knowledge of, and skill with their Annulus can grow as they do.

At age 8, Ellie was able to accomplish painting the night side of her Annulus with just a bit of help. She’s a trouper for being my Guinea pig! By using paint pens, kids can light up the stars with their own hands, and learn the constellations as they go. And more astronomy curriculum opens up to them once they accomplish this art project.

Painting and learning to use an Annulus can help those both youthful and mature to connect with the environment, and foster curiosity about STEM subjects, all while engaging their creativity and artistic expression.

Specifications

· Ages 6+

· 14 inch diameter, small enough to fit in a backpack, or on a desk

· Displays Big 3 (Sun, Moon, Earth/Rising)

· 20 Constellations, 233 Stars

· Made out of luxurious, durable Maple Wood, sanded to a buttery softness, and finished with varnish to bring out the natural grains and shine

· Handcrafted by 2nd generation carpenter Judd Bateman of Bateman Restoration, in Salt Lake City, USA.