Cycle of Life - Armillary Sphere

What's an armillary sphere?

An armillary sphere is a globe that shows how stars in the sky relate to the Earth. For example, the wide horizontal band around this armillary sphere designed by sculptor Paul Manship represents the equator. The animals on the band are symbols of the zodiac. The narrow horizontal band with names of the zodiac on it represents the rays of the sun shining on the rotating Earth. Take a closer look.

In ancient Greece, armillary spheres were used as teaching tools by astronomers. In the history of art, the spheres became symbols for astronomers. In paintings and sculpture, astronomers and armillary spheres go together.

Manship designed this armillary sphere as a sundial. (This requires Quicktime). The bar that goes through the center of the sphere casts a shadow on the inside of the widest band where numbers tell the time. This armillary sphere is indoors at the Minnesota Museum of American Art, so it doesn't work as a sundial. But this isn't the only armillary sphere Manship designed. Take a look at another armillary sphere outdoors in a garden, or look at another kind of sphere indoors.