| 摘要 |
<p>A sunlit world globe (10) employs an internal, rotating baffle (24) for a light source (26). The baffle (24) rotates with respect to a semi-transparent shell (12) constituting a planetary model. The shell has an aperture (42) at the bottom so that a motor (28), fixed to a frame can rotate the baffle through an axle (30). The shell pivots about a horizontal axis ± 23.5 degrees to simulate the earth's orbit around the sun providing a realistic day/night pattern on the surface of the globe. An adjustment mechanism (20) positions the polar axis (22) of the earth with respect to an imaginary, ecliptic plane appropriately for the current month of year. In an alternate embodiment, the globe rotates with respect to the frame (16). The frame carries an arch (114) having a day/night demarcation.</p> |
