⌘ K
"Planet Earth and Moon in Orbit earns a Recommended rating at a BrickScore of 77.1 with a mechanically impressive orrery that owners rate 4.83 out of 5, but the above-average price-per-piece, sticker controversy, and niche Technic appeal keep the recommendation rate at a selective 64%."
Planet Earth and Moon in Orbit (42179) earns a Recommended verdict at a BrickScore of 77.1 with moderate reviewer agreement. Brickset rated it positively, and 2,432 owners across multiple retailers average a strong 4.83 out of 5, though only 64% say they would recommend it, a figure that is notably low for such a high average rating. The set's working orrery mechanism, accurate representation of Earth's axial tilt, and educational potential drive consistent praise, while stickers (marketed in some channels as printed pieces), a higher-than-average price-per-piece of $0.143, and the absence of other planets draw recurring criticism.
Where they split: The 4.83 average owner rating alongside a 64% recommendation rate is an unusual split suggesting many owners love the set personally but hesitate to recommend it broadly, likely because the sticker issue and Technic-only build style make it a poor fit for audiences without specific interest in orbital mechanics or gear-driven models.
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"turning the crank down here and seeing everything in motion for the first time after I was done building it was definitely one of the most enjoyable LEGO experiences of my life"
Tiago Catarino
"Some form of orrery (a model of the orbit of planets and moons around the sun) has been on many wish lists for a long time, and finally the wait is over."
The Brothers Brick
"We've been asking for Technic to release some kinetic sculptures for a while now."
Rebrickable Reviews"This is an ingenious model and the mechanics are really impressive!"
RacingBrick
"Unless I am mistaken, the last time LEGO made a retail Technic set that was not a vehicle of some sort was in 1990 when it released 8094 Control Centre. So, the release of 42179 Planet Earth and Moon in Orbit, the first …"
Brickset Reviews"turning the crank down here and seeing everything in motion for the first time after I was done building it was definitely one of the most enjoyable LEGO experiences of my life"
"Some form of orrery (a model of the orbit of planets and moons around the sun) has been on many wish lists for a long time, and finally the wait is over."
"We've been asking for Technic to release some kinetic sculptures for a while now."
"This is an ingenious model and the mechanics are really impressive!"
"Unless I am mistaken, the last time LEGO made a retail Technic set that was not a vehicle of some sort was in 1990 when it released 8094 Control Centre. So, the release of 42179 Planet Earth and Moon in Orbit, the first static model to be produced for 34 years, is something of a big deal."
Planet Earth and Moon in Orbit wins strong praise as an educational, mechanism-forward Technic set with impressive orbital accuracy, though a meaningful minority of owners struggle with gear alignment, inaccurate or frustrating stickers, and occasional missing pieces.
Amazon4.9Walmart4.7Target4.6LEGO.com4.6
