# Did the front dial display the five planets, and how? · Antikythera Mechanism > Three answers have been proposed. The front displayed all five planets with their synodic cycles, as reconstructed in 2021. leads, with evidence 1 for, 1… Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/antikythera-mechanism/questions/QST0D3FQ61C2VH1/did-the-front-dial-display-the-five-planets-and-how Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:56:49+00:00 --- **0** # Did the front dial display the five planets, and how? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·Part of [Did the mechanism function as built?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/antikythera-mechanism/questions/QST0D3FQ59Y5GC6/did-the-mechanism-function-as-built)·3 answers·0·0 following **Most likely: the front displayed all five planets with their synodic cycles, as reconstructed in 2021** Ahead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted. ## Where it stands Three answers have been proposed. The front displayed all five planets with their synodic cycles, as reconstructed in 2021. leads, with evidence 1 for, 1 against: partly supported by its tests. Two are still possible. ## Why it matters The back-cover inscription names the planets, but no planetary gearing survives; the 2021 reconstruction is a hypothesis about the lost front⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D8MQYDC4S7K/a-model-of-the-cosmos-in-the-ancient-greek-antikythera). ## Answers 3 [**The front displayed all five planets with their synodic cycles, as reconstructed in 2021.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/antikythera-mechanism/answers/ANS0D3FQFJ200V8/the-front-displayed-all-five-planets-with-their-synodic) Partly supported by its tests Evidence: 1 for, 1 against Most likely [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/antikythera-mechanism/answers/ANS0D3FQGHA0FVJ/none-of-these) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: none yet Still possible [**The front showed only the sun and moon; the planetary text describes a display that was planned or simplified.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/antikythera-mechanism/answers/ANS0D3FQG9G1PW2/the-front-showed-only-the-sun-and-moon-the-planetary-text) Failed a test; not refuted outright Evidence: none yet Disputed ## History 1. 2006[Freeth et al. puts forward: the front showed only the sun and moon; the planetary text describes a display that was planned or simplified.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D8MQY5J38KW/decoding-the-ancient-greek-astronomical-calculator-known-as) 1. 2021[Freeth et al. puts forward: the front displayed all five planets with their synodic cycles, as reconstructed in 2021.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D8MQYDC4S7K/a-model-of-the-cosmos-in-the-ancient-greek-antikythera) 1. 2021[Freeth et al.: no planetary gears survive, so the reconstruction rests on inscriptions and inference.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D8MQYDC4S7K/a-model-of-the-cosmos-in-the-ancient-greek-antikythera)Against: The front displayed all five planets with their synodic cycles, as reconstructed in 2021. 1. 2021[Freeth et al.: the back-cover inscription names the planets and the reconstruction fits the described cycles with plausible…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D8MQYDC4S7K/a-model-of-the-cosmos-in-the-ancient-greek-antikythera)For: The front displayed all five planets with their synodic cycles, as reconstructed in 2021. 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/antikythera-mechanism/questions/QST0D3FQ61C2VH1/did-the-front-dial-display-the-five-planets-and-how%23discussion) Help with this question [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ] [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/antikythera-mechanism/questions/QST0D3FQ61C2VH1/did-the-front-dial-display-the-five-planets-and-how%23add-answer) [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ] [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/antikythera-mechanism/questions/QST0D3FQ61C2VH1/did-the-front-dial-display-the-five-planets-and-how%23add-evidence) [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ] [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/antikythera-mechanism/questions/QST0D3FQ61C2VH1/did-the-front-dial-display-the-five-planets-and-how%23add-question) [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ] [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/antikythera-mechanism/questions/QST0D3FQ61C2VH1/did-the-front-dial-display-the-five-planets-and-how%23add-source) Where it fits Antikythera Mechanism [**Did the mechanism function as built?** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/antikythera-mechanism/questions/QST0D3FQ59Y5GC6/did-the-mechanism-function-as-built)Key question · most likely the mechanism ran as designed, with tooth errors smaller than those measured in the corroded fragments **Did the front dial display the five planets, and how?** You're here · the front displayed all five planets with their synodic cycles, as reconstructed in 2021 [ Ask a question under this one ]