This orrery is chiefly a tellurium, demonstrating the motions of the Earth around the Sun and the Moon around the Earth, although it also shows another planet, presumably Venus as it is painted so as to aid demonstration of phases. The whole is mounted on a metal base, painted black and with a hinged lid that can be lifted clear. The Sun is brass, the planet and the Moon are painted wood and the Earth is covered in paper gores printed with the continents, seas and place names. The spheres revolve through a system of cogs. There is a long aluminium arm supporting the globe, which has a small compass at the centre. Under the Sun on the base are scales of the zodiac, calendar and seasons.

An engraved inscription at the centre of the arm that supports the globe reads "UNIVERSAL PLANETARIUM/ PAT. JAN.. 7 1919/ RUSSELL-HAWKES Co./ KANSAS CITY MO.