Jens Olsen's World Clock
Encyclopedia
Jens Olsen's World Clock or Verdensur is an advanced astronomical clock
which is displayed in Copenhagen City Hall
.
The clock was designed and calculated by Jens Olsen
who was a skilled locksmith, but later learned the trade of clockmaking
. He also took part in the beginning of the clock's construction, but died in 1945, 10 years before the clock was completed.
The clock consists of 12 movements which together have over 14,000 parts. The clock is mechanical and must be wound once a week. Displays include lunar and solar eclipse
s, positions of the stellar bodies, and a perpetual calendar, in addition to the time. The fastest gear completes a revolution each ten seconds, and the slowest will have completed a full circuit every 25,753 years.
The calculations for the clock were made up until 1928, after which they were supervised by the astronomer Professor Elis Strömgren
. The drawings for the clock were made between 1934 and 1936, and the actual production of the clock took place from 1943 until 1955. The clock was started on December 15, 1955, by King Frederick IX
and Jens Olsen's youngest grandchild Birgit.
Astronomical clock
An astronomical clock is a clock with special mechanisms and dials to display astronomical information, such as the relative positions of the sun, moon, zodiacal constellations, and sometimes major planets.-Definition:...
which is displayed in Copenhagen City Hall
Copenhagen City Hall
Copenhagen City Hall is the headquarters of the Municipal Council as well as the Lord mayor of the City of Copenhagen, Denmark. The building is situated on The City Hall Square in central Copenhagen....
.
The clock was designed and calculated by Jens Olsen
Jens Olsen
Jens Olsen was a clockmaker, locksmith and astromechanic who built the famous world clock located in the city hall of Copenhagen, the Rådhus. He was born in Ribe, Denmark. Ever since he was a small child, Olsen was interested in clocks and other mechanical devices...
who was a skilled locksmith, but later learned the trade of clockmaking
Clockmaker
A clockmaker is an artisan who makes and repairs clocks. Since almost all clocks are now factory-made, most modern clockmakers only repair clocks. Modern clockmakers may be employed by jewellers, antique shops, and places devoted strictly to repairing clocks and watches...
. He also took part in the beginning of the clock's construction, but died in 1945, 10 years before the clock was completed.
The clock consists of 12 movements which together have over 14,000 parts. The clock is mechanical and must be wound once a week. Displays include lunar and solar eclipse
Eclipse
An eclipse is an astronomical event that occurs when an astronomical object is temporarily obscured, either by passing into the shadow of another body or by having another body pass between it and the viewer...
s, positions of the stellar bodies, and a perpetual calendar, in addition to the time. The fastest gear completes a revolution each ten seconds, and the slowest will have completed a full circuit every 25,753 years.
The calculations for the clock were made up until 1928, after which they were supervised by the astronomer Professor Elis Strömgren
Elis Strömgren
Svante Elis Strömgren was a Swedish-Danish astronomer.Strömgren was born in 1870 in Helsingborg, Scania. He received his doctorate at Lund University in 1898, becoming docent there the same year. He worked at the University of Kiel from 1901, and assisted in the publication of Astronomische...
. The drawings for the clock were made between 1934 and 1936, and the actual production of the clock took place from 1943 until 1955. The clock was started on December 15, 1955, by King Frederick IX
Frederick IX of Denmark
Frederick IX was King of Denmark from 20 April 1947 until his death on 14 January 1972....
and Jens Olsen's youngest grandchild Birgit.
External links
- The Story of the Astronomical Clock
- Description of Jens Olsen's World Clock (Danish-language)