MOVA
The globe rotates using only the solar energy from room light, small magnets and the torque of the Earth’s magnetic field. This is possible because the globe is actually an inner globe that rotates and is contained within an outer shell made of clear acrylic that does not rotate. The thin space between the inner globe and outer shell is filled with a clear fluid that buoyantly supports the inner globe completely out of contact with the outer shell. This inner globe, floating and turning in a virtually friction-free environment and energized by light, is analogous to the Earth itself.
The optical properties of the outer shell and fluid are chosen so the graphic features on the surface of the inner globe are magnified and appear to be on the outer surface of the outer shell. This means that the outer shell actually appears to move. The globe appears to rotate in spite of resting on the stand, in quiet defiance of commonly held ideas about the laws of friction.The globe has a small industrial strength magnet which acts like a stabilizer that forces perpetual silent rotation of the globe against the liquid. The earth’s own magnetic field keeps this internal magnet in an N-S alignment. The torque from the motor counters the torque that is generated by the earth’s magnetic field.