THE ANTIKYTHERA MECHANISM

The original Mechanism was a scientific marvel - a miniature model of the Cosmos which mirrored the movements of the solar system. It was the first analogue computer ever created and the oldest scientific instrument in the world, by a very long way.

Users could turn the handle and watch the Sun, Moon and planets move against the stars - accurately mirroring the changes in the night sky. They could set the date forward or back in time and see the exact alignment of the Sun and planets, together with the position and phase of the Moon and the timing of any lunar or solar eclipses on that date. They could predict eclipses, conjunctions and oppositions years ahead.

All of this was achieved by sophisticated precision gearing designed to mimic the rotations of the heavens, based on mathematical theories developed by Greek astronomers in the 2nd century BC.

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We’ve created a full working reconstruction of the Mechanism  which you can now buy either in kit form or as a fully assembled instrument. Our reconstruction is the same size as the original and utilises the same gearing to achieve the results intended by the original designers. It is unique - there are no other complete working calibrated models of the Mechanism available in the market today.

Our reconstruction is designed for use in the present day, rather than 2,200 years ago, giving the positions of the planets, the Sun and Moon and the dates and timing of eclipses in modern times. Many of our customers use their Antikythera Mechanism to track and predict the movements in the heavens.

Watch this short demonstration video to see what the Mechanism can do:

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