Issue 19 Autumn 2009 BULLETIN Books and the Sky HIS dramatic painting shows Tan Astronomer by Candlelight by the Dutch artist Gerrit Dou (1613-75) who was a pupil of Rembrandt. It dates from the late 1650s. Dou was famous for his mastery of chiaroscuro and the effects of artificial light. These techniques are deployed here to great effect. Late at night an astronomer studies a book while using dividers to measure an angular sepa- ration on a celestial globe. The happy connection between books and astronomy was explored in the meeting Books And The Sky which was held at the Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge during April this year. It was organised to celebrate the outstanding achieve- ments in astronomical his- tory and scholarship of SHA member Dr David Dewhirst. A report appears inside. Some of the other items continue the bibliographic theme, and we also carry all the usual material. Astronomer by Candlelight is held by the J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles. The image reproduced here is courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. Contents SHA Bulletin, Issue 19, Autumn 2009 Meeting Reports 8 Books and the Sky Madeline Cox 19 David Dewhirst: an Appreciation Allan Chapman 20 The Invention of the Dutch Telescope Clive Davenhall 29 Victorian Astronomy Day at the Black Country Museum John Armitage Articles 31 Travels of the Revd T.W. Webb Paul Haley 37 From Trincomalee to Mars Nalaka Gunawardene 42 The Later History of William Lassell’s Large Telescopes Michael Lowne Letters 44 Magnification in Nasmyth’s Projected 60-inch Reflector Roger Griffin 45 An Unidentified Astronomer? Mark Hurn 46 Aurora Polaris Project Film Paul Haley 47 Bunk and Bilge Roger Griffin Book Reviews 48 Dunn, Richard, The Telescope: A Short History Gilbert Satterthwaite 49 Holmes, Richard, The Age of Wonder Mark Hurn 49 Murdin, Paul, Full Meridian of Glory Jim Smith 52 Books noticed Madeline Cox 53 Also noticed Clive Davenhall Regulars 3 Editorial Clive Davenhall 4 News Clive Davenhall 55 The Survey of Astronomical History Roger Jones 57 Observatory Scrapbook Clive Davenhall 58 Library News Madeline Cox and Stuart Williams 58 RAS Library News Peter Hingley 59 SHA News Clive Davenhall 59 Forthcoming Meetings and Events Clive Davenhall

Page 2 SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Editorial

Clive Davenhall

Welcome to the second issue of November. There were two items try to include. However, appar- the SHA Bulletin. In this issue we on the agenda. The first was a ently there have been some are pleased to carry a report of talk by Mona Evans on Caroline recent cases of RAS illustrations the meeting Books and the Sky Herschel, which was most inter- being reproduced without which was held at the Institute of esting. The second was the acknowledgement (though not in Astronomy, Cambridge during posthumous launch of Mary the Bulletin, I hope), which is, at the spring. This meeting com- Brück’s last book, Women in best, most discourteous. memorated the outstanding Early British and Irish Finally, it is once again time to achievements of Dr David Astronomy: Stars and Satellites, renew subscriptions. A form was Dewhirst in astronomical history which has been guided to publi- circulated previously and a and scholarship. The SHA is cation by the capable hands of reminder is included with this privileged to count Dr Dewhirst her son Andrew. The launch was Bulletin. We hope that you will amongst its members. a most enjoyable event held in re-subscribe. Planning for next Recently I have also been fortu- the RAS Library. Most of Mary’s year’s issues of the Bulletin is nate to attend two events where children and stepchildren were already in progress. Early in the colleagues who, alas, are no present. Jacqueline and Simon New Year we hope to publish a longer with us were commemo- Mitton, editors of the series in special issue marking the four rated. At the recent SHA Autumn which the book is published, hundredth anniversary of the first Conference held at the BMI in spoke warmly of their memories telescopic observations of the Birmingham on Saturday 31 of Mary, and numerous items Moon and the fortieth anniver- October Council made a presen- from the RAS archives illustrat- sary of the first manned lunar tation to Lorraine Goward, ing material covered in the book landing. Amongst the items in widow of our Founding were on display. It was a most this special issue will be an arti- Treasurer, Kenneth Goward, to enjoyable evening. cle on the lunar observations of mark both the high esteem in In the afternoon prior to the Thomas Harriot kindly con- which Ken was held and his enor- Friends event I had been working tributed by SHA Honorary mous contribution to the Society, in the Library, examining materi- President Dr Allan Chapman. and her own support during the al in the Molesworth Archive, The first regular issue after the most difficult of times. The which is held by the RAS, in special will be published in the Society is greatly indebted to order to select some illustrations late spring and will carry all the them both. At the same meeting a to accompany Nalaka normal material, including a wall clock in commemoration of Gunawardene’s article on Percy roundup of the remaining meet- Ken was unveiled in the Molesworth (see p37). I am most ing reports for 2009. Society’s Sir Robert Ball Library. grateful to Peter Hingley, the This clock was a generous per- RAS Librarian, for his assistance sonal gift from Stuart Williams. and for making material avail- A full report of these events and able, both on this occasion and on an obituary for Ken should numerous others. In general the appear in the spring issue of the SHA benefits enormously from Bulletin. the good offices of both Mr A few days later, and purely by Hingley and the RAS. In particu- chance, I was in London on other lar, they allow us to reproduce business at the right time to illustrations free of charge, ask- attend the RAS Friends event ing only an acknowledgement, held on the evening of Tuesday 3 which in the Bulletin we always

SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Page 3 News

Compiled by Clive Davenhall

includes a description of Hereford’s Time Gun which was fired daily at 1pm during 1872. This service was initiated by Revd Henry Cooper Key with a little help from his brother, who was then Rear-Admiral Astley Cooper Key. Bob Marriott organised the loan of BAA instrument no. 83 to the of the ‘Aurora project in June. This telescope is Webb-SHARE 1 Polaris’ project, possibly Webb’s 9 /3-inch update which is funded by telescope and is in much need of This Heritage Lottery the European Union restoration. Another major step project is now in its final (Grundtvig). Details forward occurred in August when year. Since the last report of this project will Peter Hingley located the micro- (Bulletin, no. 18, June feature in a future film of Webb’s Observing 2009, pp3-4) two ‘star Bulletin article. Notebooks. These have now been parties’ (in Kingstone Two museum loan printed and a digital copy is being and Hardwicke), four boxes for use with prepared. Initial research has led family events (Ross-on-Wye, Key Stage 2-3 children have been to new insights into the observa- Hereford, Coalbrookedale and completed. Artefacts on the tories visited by Webb (see pp31) Longtown) and three exhibitions themes of ‘Observation’ and with a further article on his (Hereford, Cambridge and ‘Communication’ have been equipment and observing tech- Hardwicke) have been complet- assembled together with teaching niques to follow in the next ed. The Hardwicke events includ- support materials. The latter box Bulletin. ed an observing evening on Thursday 20 August to mark the hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the first publication of Celestial Objects for Common Telescopes by Revd T.W. Webb in 1859. The Hardwicke Church fete included a special astronom- ical flower festival to mark the occasion and events concluded with an astronomy day at Clifford Primary School. Webb-Share talks by Janet and Mark Robinson and Paul Haley have been presented in Cambridge, Hereford, and Hatfield (JENAM). The project Paul Haley with the Webb-SHARE display stand at the meeting was also described in a talk in Books and the Sky held at the Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge in Olsztyn (Poland) in May as part April this year (see p8).

Page 4 SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Webb-Share events organised and his daughter Thereza tory. This work will con- include talks on Webb’s observa- (1834-1926) who tribute to the two tory visits by Paul Haley at used their hundredth anniver- Hereford (Thursday 3 December, Observatory at sary celebrations Hereford Astronomical Society), P e n l l e r g a r e of John Dillwyn Cambridge (Saturday 5 Valley Woods L l e w e l l y n ’ s December, Webb Society) and to take one of birth in January, also a talk will be given at a the earliest pho- which are being forthcoming SHA meeting. The tographs of the organised by final exhibition will take place in Moon. The astro- The Penllergare Hereford during April-May 2010. photography theme Trust. To help with project evaluation a continued with the Exhibitions at Hay- DVD will be distributed to Welshpool schools and on-Wye and Cardiff Astro members during 2010. A short focussed on the lives of Isaac Fest included invitations to help questionnaire will also be includ- Roberts (1829-1904) and his wife with research and translation ed (SAE provided), which you Dorothea Klumpke Roberts work. Opportunities still exist for will be invited to return with your (1861-1942). researching the following people: views. The architectural plans of the Edward George Bowen (1911- More details of Webb-Share can Observatory at Penllergare have 91), radio astronomer in be found on the Web site: been scanned in preparation for Australia, from Cockett, www.spacewatch.co.uk or by creating a virtual online observa- Swansea, contacting SHA member Paul Haley (The Share Initiative), tele- phone: 01981 251029, e-mail: [email protected]. (Contributed by Paul Haley.) Astro-Cymru update This Welsh Heritage Lottery project was announced in Bulletin no. 18 (June 2009, pp 4- 5). Astro-Cymru celebrates four hundred years of Welsh astrono- my. Six school workshops have been completed, at: Penllergaer Primary and Port Mead Primary (Swansea), Raglan Primary (Monmouthshire), Ysgol Ffynnon Gynydd (Powys), Ysgol Maesydre and Ysgol Buttington/ Trewern (Welshpool). In each case the children role-played being ‘heritage science journal- ists’ to research their local astronomer. In the Swansea schools this involved John Dillwyn Llewellyn (1810-82) John Dillwyn Llewellyn (1810-82).

SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Page 5 Thomas Cowling (1906-90), Haley (The Share Initiative), tele- would support the idea that solar/stellar convection, worked phone: 01981 251029, e-mail: Galileo realised the star was in Swansea and Bangor, [email protected]. (Contributed moving and hence he could be G. Parry Jenkins (1860-40), by Paul Haley.) considered to have discovered BAA founder member / Canada the planet. This suggestion raises from 1902, from Llancynfelin, Did Galileo the intriguing possibility that an Dyfrig Jones (1940-89), plane- anagram announcing the discov- tary radio emission research, discover Neptune? ery may be buried somewhere in from Pembrokeshire, It is well-known that there are one of Galileo’s letters. He used Kenneth Glyn Jones (1915-95), several pre-discovery observa- such anagrams to establish prior- founder of The Webb Society, tions of both Uranus and Neptune ity for some of his other discover- from New Tredegar, in which the unrecognised plan- ies, such as the crescents of Barbara Middlehurst (1915-95), ets are misidentified as stars. Venus. planetary researcher in USA, Galileo (1564-1642) is known to Further reading from Penarth, Cardiff, have observed Neptune on 28 Hugh Percival Wilkins (1896- December 1612 and 28 January See, for example: 1960), 300-inch lunar map, from 1613 when he recorded it as a http://www.physorg.com/news16 Carmarthen/Llanelli. field star while studying the 6355079.html We are also seeking help with moons of Jupiter. the translation of the following Following a detailed examina- Mass dial found at texts from Welsh to English: tion of Galileo’s notebooks Prof. Seryddiaeth a Seryddwyr David Jamieson, Head of the Inchcolm Abbey (1923) by Canon J. Silas Evans School of Physics at the A mass dial has been found at (1864-1953), University of Melbourne, has Inchcolm Abbey on Inchcolm Y Darluniadur Anianyddol recently suggested that Galileo Island in the Firth of Forth. A (1850) by Edward Mills (1807- may have realised that the ‘star’ mass dial is a specialised type of 1865) of Llanidloes. moved and hence considered it a sundial found on some churches Sundials across Wales are beau- planet. He has presented these and monastic buildings. Rather tifully illustrated and described ideas in the journal Australian than conventional hours the grad- by Val Cowham and David Physics and included them in the uations mark the time of the var- Young in Sundials of the British first of a series of public lectures ious religious observances Isles, edited by Mike Cowham given in July. throughout the day. Though rela- (Cambridge, 2005). Society for In the entry in his notebook for tively well-known in England the History of Astronomy mem- 28 January 1613 Galileo wrote relatively few are known in bers interested in researching that the ‘star’ now known to be Scotland. dialling in Wales are also very Neptune appeared to have moved The dial was found by Hugh welcome to contribute to Astro- relative to another nearby star. Morrison, Collections Registrar Cymru. Further, in the earlier entry for 6 for Historic Scotland and Mary Astro-Cymru events organised January there is a dot roughly in Márkus, an expert in Medieval include a talk by Paul Haley in the right position for Neptune. stones. They were making a pre- Swansea (Thursday 12 Prof. Jamieson suggests that liminary inventory of a collection November, Swansea Galileo had gone back to his of about fifty carved pieces of Astronomical Society) and an notes to mark where he had pre- stone stored at the Abbey, prior to exhibition in Welshpool viously seen Neptune. He hopes examining and cataloguing them. (January/February, Powysland that it will be possible to use The dial is split into two pieces Museum). techniques to analyse traces of and the corroded stub of an iron More details of Astro-Cymru chemical elements to establish gnomon is still visible in one. can be found on the Web site: whether the dot was added subse- Inchcolm Abbey was an www.spacewatch.co.uk or by quent to the drawing. Augustinian community. It was contacting SHA member Paul If the dot was added later it established as a priory by King

Page 6 SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 David I (1124-53) and became an Blue-eyed Boy abbey in 1235. It is now in the In the previous issue we reported care of Historic Scotland and is evidence from the analysis of the best-preserved group of mitochondrial DNA that the monastic buildings in Scotland. It remains found by Jerzy dominates the Island of Inchcolm Gassowski and colleagues which also contains coastal beneath Frombork Cathedral, defences from both World Wars Poland in 2005 were, as sus- and is home to colonies of seals pected, those of Nicholas and other wildlife. Copernicus (1473-1543; see Further reading Bulletin no. 18, June 2009, p5). The full results of this forensic Historic Scotland has an article analysis have now been pub- about the dial at: http://www.his- lished in the Proceedings of the Branickic, M. Lembring, M. t o r i c - s c o t l a n d . g o v. u k / i n d e x / National Academy of Sciences. Gajewska, and T. Kupiec, Proc. news/news_article.htm?arti- In addition to confirming the Natl. Acad. Sci, 106, no. 27, 6 cleid=24855 identity of the remains they sug- July 2009. An associated press For general information about the gest that, contrary to previous release is available at: Abbey see http://www.historic- supposition, Copernicus proba- h t t p : / / w w w. e u r e k a l e r t . o r g / s c o t l a n d . g o v. u k / p r o p e r t y - bly had blue eyes and fair skin p u b _ r e l e a s e s / 2 0 0 9 - 0 7 / u u - overview?PropID=PL_155&Pro and hair. The investigation found aoc070709.php pName=Inchcolm%20Abbey or the gene HERC2, which is usual- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inch Wired magazine has an article ly associated with these charac- colm_Abbey describing the new results at: teristics. http://www.wired.com/wired- The British Sundial Society has a Further reading science/2009/07/copernicus/ page about mass dials: see http://www.sundialsoc.org.uk/ The full report of the forensic Above: The skull of Copernicus and follow the link to ‘Mass analysis is available in: W. was found, with other remains, Dials’. Bogdanowica, M. Allen, W. beneath Frombork Cathedral in 2005. It recalls the fragment apparently found posthumously amongst Copernicus’ papers: Vita brevis, sensus ebes, negli- gentiæ torpor et inutiles occupa- tiones nos pancula scire permit- tent. Et aliquotients scita excutit ab animo per temporum franda- trix scientiæ et inimica memori- am præceps oblivio. The brevity of life, the failing of the senses, the numbness of indifference and unprofitable occupations allow us to know very little. And again and again swift oblivion, the thief of knowl- edge and the enemy of memory, makes a void of the mind, in the course of time, even what we The mass dial recently discovered at Inchcolm Abbey. learn we lose.

SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Page 7 Books and the Sky

Madeline Cox

HE meeting Books And The time Astronomer Royal and pio- tify two other bright radio TSky: A Meeting To Honour neer of radio astronomy. His talk sources in the sky – in Cygnus David W Dewhirst; Astronomer, was entitled DWD’s and Cassiopeia. Details of these Scholar, Librarian was held on Achievements in Optical and and other sources in Virgo and 18 April 2009 at the Institute of Radio Astronomy. Taurus were sent to the young Astronomy, Cambridge. It had Sir Francis worked with Martin David Dewhirst (DWD) in been organised in recognition of Ryle and others at Cambridge Pasadena for him to identify Dr Dewhirst’s outstanding contri- after World War II, studying visually. David was able to send bution to astronomical history radio emissions from the Sun. Sir Francis a lot of information and scholarship. The SHA is The team developed an interfer- about the radio sources; he had privileged to count Dr Dewhirst ometer which was able to meas- already obtained a photograph of amongst its members. ure the diameter of radio sources. Cygnus A from Mount Wilson After a warm welcome by Sir Francis’ slides included a pic- and was able to show an error in Professor Robert C. Kennicutt, ture of a soldering iron used with- the astrometry of 6 minutes in Director of the Institute of out electricity — a blow lamp Right Ascension. After a long Astronomy, the first talk of the was employed to warm it up! A exposure, he found a faint (16.5 day was given by Professor Sir successful array (the Michelson magnitude), odd-looking galaxy Francis Graham Smith, the one- interferometer) was able to iden- in the position of Cygnus A.

The speakers and organisers of the meeting outside the Hoyle building. Left to right: Jim Bennett, Janet Robinson, Mark Robinson, Liba Taub, Paul Haley, Roger Hutchins, Michael Hoskin, David Dewhirst, Gilbert Satterthwaite, Adam Perkins, Mark Hurn and Peter Hingley. Sir Francis Graham Smith is absent. Photograph by Stuart Williams.

Page 8 SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Long-standing friends reminisce; Dr David Dewhirst (left) talks to Prof. Sir Francis Graham Smith. Photograph by Stuart Williams.

Cassiopeia A was found to have wisps which were the remnants of a supernova which exploded near- ly 300 years ago. David had read metallurgy at university and never expected to become a professional astronomer, though astronomy was one of his main interests. He was appointed junior observer at Cambridge by Professor Redman in 1950 and became the chief contact between radio and optical astronomers. He was one of the last to use the Cooke transit circle at the university observatory, and taught courses on astronomy to people like Francis Graham Smith who came from a non- astronomical background. Many more unsuspected radio sources were dis- covered, and the 3C Cambridge catalogue was published in 1959. David took the 3C catalogue to Pasadena, where he was able to compare its entries with the Palomar sky plates. He also visited Australia, South Africa and Paris, where he deliv- ered a paper outlining the radio discoveries. The results had been a bit disappointing, with some of One of the dishes in the Cambridge interferometer the sources overlapping and confused. He realised used to measure the diameter of radio sources.

SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Page 9 he and Ryle had published too sional astronomers. Through his the development of other early, and a revised catalogue offices, the papers of Thomas libraries, including that of the was produced in 1962, based on William Webb had been acquired RAS, and the university libraries observations taken with a newer by the RAS. The papers of W.H. syndication scheme. But as far as and larger interferometer. Steavenson were also obtained, Mr Hurn was concerned, DWD’s Through David’s work, Sir but still have not been properly best contribution to the IoA Francis said, the radio team could explored. Library was that he had made at last call themselves In 1995 DWD chaired his last himself available for advice and astronomers. library committee, after 41 years help at any time. in attendance. He has now been a DWD asked to reply to Mr The second talk was given by Fellow of the Royal Hurn. He said that if you lived Peter Hingley, RAS Librarian, Astronomical Society for more long enough you actually became who spoke on DWD and the RAS. than 50 years. Mr Hingley part of history yourself! DWD, as Mr Hingley referred to thanked him for his wisdom and The first book he really treas- Dr Dewhirst, was made a Fellow his help in the past, and hoped he ured was Hubble’s Realm of the of the Royal Astronomical was enjoying the present. Nebulae, which he read in the Society (FRAS) on 4 April 1947, 1940s. Hubble’s parameter was and attended his first Library After coffee, Mark Hurn, then thought to be 540 Committee meeting of the Librarian at the Institute of km/sec/megaparsec. As a junior Society on 8 December 1954. Astronomy in Cambridge (IoA), astronomer at Cambridge he The Chairman of the Committee gave a talk entitled DWD as IoA attended the meeting of the was Professor Gerald Whitrow. Librarian and Bibliographer. Mr International Astronomical On 31 July 1974 Dr Dewhirst Hurn had produced a bibliogra- Union (IAU) in Rome in 1952, himself became Chairman, and phy of David’s publications, where he heard Walter Baade say has guided the RAS Library ever copies of which were distributed the Hubble constant was not 540 since. Under his aegis, the rare to members of the audience. It but about 250. He and Baade book collection was sorted and was eleven pages long and he were colleagues at Palomar in catalogued, grants were made suspected that there were further 1957. While he was there Alan available for repair and rebind- items to be identified and added. Sandage revised Hubble’s value ing; and the rare book area was The majority of David’s papers yet again, saying it was nearer brought under environmental had been written for the Journal 100 km/sec/megaparsec! The control. David also helped start of the British Astronomical value now usually taught at the archives collection, finding Association — forty in total — Cambridge is 60-70. some treasures in the process, and a further thirty for The Dr Dewhirst was at Pasadena in and it now has its own strong Observatory. He had also written October 1957 when Sputnik 1 room. His spirit has enabled letters to The Times newspaper, was launched. He saw it from the developments such as the online and had twenty five book reviews roof of the Astrophysics Building catalogue, better indexing, and published. at Caltech. It was an incredible the conservation of archives. He was Librarian at the IoA for sight. He remembered its mass Recently the archives have been many years, retiring from the being given as 80 kilos, which used to promote the RAS through post in September 1993. He pro- was met with disbelief in the the Science Photo. Library. duced his own classification United States. The launch of the Another very useful collection he scheme for astronomy, with over Soviet satellite caused chagrin began was the ‘Portraits and 100 subjects included. He had the within the American astronomi- Miscellaneous Biographies’. foresight to leave blank numbers cal community. David brought an ethos of schol- for future, unknown subjects, Astronomy exploded as a sub- arship and common sense to the which had proved very useful, for ject in the 1960s, which is why he Library. example, in the field of astrobiol- developed the new classification DWD was acquainted with ogy. scheme; errors of judgement and many amateur as well as profes- Dr Dewhirst had contributed to a lack of foresight into astronom-

Page 10 SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 ical change had been made in the Descartes’ Principia Cambridge curriculum. John organisation of library material. Philosophiae, published in 1644, Ellis, Tutor at Gonville and Caius He was a friend of Arthur C. was written in Latin and was a College, was a resolute Clarke; both of them were wrong challenging text for teenagers. Cartesian, and wanted the Traité in predicting the date of the first The leading Cartesian textbook updating, but who should he ask Moon landing. was Jacques Rohault’s Traité de to do it? The answer came in the He thanked everyone for attend- Physique, published in 1671. It guise of a young and very talent- ing; the day had given him enor- had been translated into Latin ed student called Samuel Clarke, mous pleasure. He thanked Peter and was used by Cambridge stu- only sixteen years old. Clarke Hingley and Mark Hurn for dents. was a champion of Newton and organising the event, and the By the end of the seventeenth had been his spokesman in corre- University for providing lunch. century, the Traité was substan- spondence with Leibniz. Although Ellis was a Dr Michael Hoskin, of friend of Newton, he Churchill College largely based his teaching Cambridge, and SHA at this time on the more Honorary Vice President, readily accessible was the next speaker. His Cartesian system. He talk was entitled Milk for asked Clarke to translate Babes: Making Newton the Traité for the use of Accessible to Cambridge students. This posed a Undergraduates and moral dilemma for described how Clarke: was it right for Newtonian physics came him to continue to pro- to be introduced to the mote Cartesianism when Cambridge undergraduate he knew what Newton’s curriculum. work had achieved? He Sir Isaac Newton’s sought the opinion of Principia was published William Whiston in 1687. There was a bat- (Newton’s successor as tle at the time over the Lucasian Professor of teaching of physics at Mathematics), who was Cambridge, where the surprised that so young a University statutes were man knew so much. conservative and back- Whiston advised him to ward looking. Aristotle stick to Rohault’s Traité was still the prescribed for undergraduates until author. The colleges were Newton was better under- independent from the uni- stood. versity (as they still are) So Clarke translated the and had a social mix Traité (1697), but with which included under- Samuel Clarke (1675-1729). (Courtesy endnotes hinting that graduates from wealthy Wikimedia Commons from an original in the Newton had challenged families. They did not National Portrait Gallery, London.) Descartes’ ideas. By the need to graduate for their second edition in 1702 future careers, and could afford tially out of date. Newton, Boyle, Clarke was more confident. His to ignore the university statutes. Hooke and various Continental notes were now extensive, saying In this context, some students authors, had carried out impor- quite openly that Descartes was were now reading and following tant work since its publication wrong and Newton was right; for Descartes instead of Aristotle. but were not represented in the example, on the matter of time

SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Page 11 and space. He even quoted tation. Today he only had time to letter from Jeremiah Sisson, who Newton as the source of his notes talk about one small but attrac- supplied Pigott’s transit instru- on the title page. So here is a uni- tive collection he had looked at. ment. Although a good instru- versity text being extensively This was a box of letters written ment maker, Sisson twice used by undergraduates, where to Nathaniel Pigott (1725-1804) became bankrupt and spent time the translator clearly states in the between 1761 and 1789. This in prison for failing to pay his notes that much of the text is was the smallest group of manu- workmen. He asked Pigott for incorrect and out of date. scripts given its own classifica- money to pay his journeyman; By the third edition in 1710 tion. Nathaniel Pigott is the father Pigott himself still had not paid Clarke was clearly on the attack of the perhaps better-known for his instrument. against Rohault. His translation Edward Pigott, one of the pio- One colourful figure to appear now contained three dissertations neers of the study of variable in the collection is the Revd in one footnote and three others stars. William Dodd (‘the macaroni elsewhere! These were later pub- Nathaniel Pigott was born in parson’), who was the last person lished as a separate book. The 1725 to a staunch Catholic fami- to be hanged at Tyburn for for- fourth edition followed in 1718, ly. He led an itinerant life, alter- gery. A frequent correspondent is with the notes unaltered and the nating between Great Britain and J.H. Magellan, Pigott’s text still in Latin. In 1723 the places on the Continent. His Portuguese agent, who played a work had a new lease of life addresses included Whitton in leading role in supplying him when it was translated into Yorkshire (the family seat), with instruments. Another corre- English by Clarke's brother John. Brussels, Caen, Louvain, and spondent is Jesse Ramsden, who In this form it continued to be Glamorgan. His correspondents advises Pigott that Messier will used as a textbook in the univer- included John Bird, Peter send him his observations, but he sity till supplanted by the treatis- Dollond, Nevil Maskelyne and must send his own first to estab- es of Newton, which it had been Thomas Hornsby. lish trust and confidence. designed to introduce. The Pigott letters are interesting There is a very open exchange as an example of the exchange of of letters with Nevil Maskelyne; The fifth talk of the day was astronomical intelligence at the Maskelyne asks Pigott for his given by Dr Jim Bennett, time, particularly of observa- drawings of a meteorite seen in Director of the Museum of the tions. Pigott’s observations were 1783, and in December 1793 History of Science at Oxford sought by others mainly because describes his visit to William and University. It was entitled of his non-standard locations and Caroline Herschel. He gives Yielding at Last to Temptation: international contacts in Brussels details of Caroline’s working Exploring the RAS Archives After and Paris. He also sought others’ methods and of her 5-foot comet circa Thirty Years. observations for his own projects. sweeper. David Dewhirst had begun the Hornsby, at the Radcliffe Maskelyne’s assistant on Saint cataloguing of archival material Observatory, warned Pigott not to Helena, Robert Waddington, sup- at the RAS. He said Dr Bennett expect too many observations plies Pigott with observations was the first to look at some of from him as he did not have an from the island and provides the treasures he had identified. Dr assistant and he did not observe details about other astronomers, Bennett thought David must have after midnight. including James Bradley. been very tempted to investigate The collection features letters Waddington, a jobbing mathe- some of these treasures himself from instrument makers and sup- matician and astronomer, was but had more pressing duties; he pliers. There is a bill for a John involved in the Commission for had the satisfaction of making the Bird quadrant, signed by Bird the Discovery of the Longitude at resources available for others to himself. Bird compliments Pigott Sea and met Harrison and explore. Dr Bennett also had not on how well he has been looking Lalande in London. There is a had the time to investigate them after the Royal Society’s instru- short letter from Méchain regard- back then, thirty years ago, but ments – it was Bird’s job to do ing the death of John Goodricke – now he had given in to the temp- the checking. There is an unusual ‘a real loss’ he calls it. There is

Page 12 SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 gossip about James Short’s effects after his death. There are few letters by Pigott himself; Dr Bennett showed one concerning the transit of Venus in 1769, which Pigott observed from Caen in France. He saw the ‘black drop’, which he described as ‘la queue’ or ‘tail’. So, he, Dr Bennett, had at last yielded to temptation; his res- olute gaze had indeed uncovered treasures of the RAS Archives. After applause, Dr Bennett was asked if there had been much cor- respondence regarding Pigott’s discovery of variable stars; He replied very little, though he had not read every word.

After a lunch generously provid- ed by the University, and a tour of the Institute’s telescopes by Mark Hurn, the next speaker was Mr Adam Perkins, Librarian at the University of Cambridge. His talk was called A Case of Archival Theft; the Retrieval of the Greenwich Observatory Neptune Papers. An exhibition about the search Olin Eggen (1919-98). for Neptune had been held in Cambridge during 1996, in which the Observatory in the late 1950s documents. Collections at DWD had been involved. George and early 1960s, said he had Herstmonceux were kept in Airy’s Neptune papers were not spent many hours looking at dis- chronological order, starting with included in the exhibition; they ordered papers in the attic. The Flamsteed’s papers. The archivist were missing and had been for full collection of Airy papers Phil Laurie wrote in the records some thirty years. were re-catalogued in the 1980s; that the Airy Neptune file had Mr Perkins was Archivist at the there was inadequate space to been missing ‘for a long time, Royal Greenwich Observatory house them properly. They were circa 1965’. Laurie suspected it (RGO) in 1990 when that estab- a phenomenal collection, though had been removed by Eggen, lishment moved to Cambridge. they showed much wear and tear. who had left and gone to work at When he started work at The shelving was thought to have Mount Stromlo Observatory near Herstmonceux in 1983 he had come with them from Greenwich Canberra. He later worked at La soon discovered that the Airy [this was later confirmed by Serena Observatory in Sierra Neptune papers were missing. He Gilbert Satterthwaite, who recog- Tololo, Chile. After his time at showed a slide of the location of nised it from the slide]. Herstmonceux he had later writ- the search room and archives. In 1958 the Public Record Act ten articles on Airy and James The search room was kept came into force, and it was now Challis for the Dictionary of locked. Olin Eggen, Assistant at necessary to keep records of all Scientific Biography which indi-

SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Page 13 cated that he had access to origi- he had not met the man, who had 150 years reveals shared charac- nal records but in reply to letters been good to young astronomers. teristics which define their expe- and emails, he denied having any It may have been that he meant to rience. Their directors were pro- knowledge of the current where- return them after he had finished fessors of mathematics; their abouts of the papers. It was wide- using them, but having once sites were urban and became ly known in the astronomical denied he had them, it became compromised. community that the file was increasingly difficult to admit to. Further, in 1985 DWD pub- missing and Mr Perkins himself As far as he knew, Eggen had lished a seminal article which had announced it at an FAS meet- received no monetary gain from drew attention to the universities’ ing at Herstmonceux in 1987. them. At the time, archive securi- failure in meridian work, and In 1990 the RGO moved to ty was lax, Eggen had the key, identified that a characteristic Cambridge. Its Public Relations and it was difficult for more jun- lack of endowment meant too officer Peter Andrews wrote to ior members of staff such as few assistants, hence a tension Eggen in late 1995; Eggen again Laurie to speak openly. After for the professor between teach- denied having the papers and thanking Mr Perkins, the ing duties and research. David’s wrote back that he was offended Chairman finished by remarking experience as an astronomer dur- by the suggestion. When the how amazing it was that the Airy ing post-war changes triggered RGO moved to Cambridge the Neptune papers had survived and his ‘eureka’ insight ‘Absurd pro- archives went to the Cambridge been returned relatively posals!’ while looking through University Library. The RGO unscathed. archive papers at Cambridge, was closed in October 1998 and seeing the enormous cost for an its library dispersed. The week The next talk was by SHA mem- observatory in 1820, and lack of before it closed, a telephone call ber Dr Roger Hutchins of salaries for assistants; he was taken in the Library from a Magdalen College, Oxford described the Cambridge propos- lady at La Serena in Chile by University, and entitled ‘Absurd al to build as an absurd mismatch Robin Catchpole and passed on proposals!’ — A Dewhirst between aspiration and resources. to Mr Perkins. The caller said Challenge to Foundation of the DWD had already in 1976 that some papers of Airy’s (which British University Observatories. coined the phrase ‘Greenwich- it later transpired were the DWD had been a crucial early Cambridge axis’, by which he Neptune papers), along with influence on Dr Hutchins’ thesis, meant an exchange of staff many other rare books and manu- so it was a pleasure to speak at between the two. But while scripts, had been found in the conference in his honour. young Greenwich computers Eggen’s office. Eggen had Two groups of observatories are joined Cambridge as assistants, recently died in Canberra of a well-known. British national on marrying they sought to return heart attack. All the items (gross observatories, for example the to higher salaries at Greenwich or weight 126.5 kilos!) were Royal Observatory at Greenwich, a position in a Grand Amateur returned to Cambridge in tea serviced public utility by improv- observatory. The system worked chests. The spine and endpapers ing navigation and time reckon- to Greenwich’s advantage, and of the Neptune papers had been ing. They left speculative work the discontinuities and eventual removed, presumably by Eggen. ‘beyond the meridian’ to the crisis at Cambridge were only Mr Perkins showed a picture of ‘grand amateurs,’ wealthy men remedied by the Sheepshanks the papers, which had since been who patronised the instrument Endowment in 1859, and the repaired and re-bound. They makers, pushed the technology, same fund in 1898 enabled the were now safe and sound and and reaped the discoveries. The observatory to adapt to astro- stored to the highest archival histories of the third group, the physics. standards. six university observatories The first British university After applause, a member of the which undertook research observatory to systematically audience asked what Eggen’s between 1772 and 1939, had conduct research was the motive had been in taking the been underestimated and neglect- Radcliffe at Oxford, founded in papers. Mr Perkins was not sure; ed. However, comparison across 1772 for the Professor of

Page 14 SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Astronomy, but privately owned. Amateurs had been totally One aspect of this Heritage In 1839 the University carelessly eclipsed by the professionalisa- Lottery funded project is devoted lost the use of this Observatory. tion and specialisation of astro- to the exploration of the legacy of The replacement University of physics. Thomas William Webb (1806- Oxford Observatory was com- Although by 1939 the universi- 85), Henry Cooper-Key (1819- pleted in 1875. Dunsink ty group had acute difficulties 79) and George Henry With Observatory outside Dublin (Durham, Dunsink and Glasgow (1827-1904). opened in 1785, Cambridge in had temporarily closed), Oxford These three were at the centre 1824, and Durham in 1842. A and Cambridge had re-equipped, of the development and use of sil- small observatory had been Mill Hill was thriving, and after vered mirrors. They are not wide- established in Glasgow in 1760, the war the whole group revived, ly known in their own county; and its replacement functioned built on its traditions, and provid- indeed the latter two have not continuously from 1845. Mill ed the leaders for the nation’s been deeply researched at all, Hill Observatory at London astronomy. though R.A. Marriott did point University opened in 1929. In conclusion, the closure of the out the importance of With’s mir- Hutchins explained that each RGO in 1998 had been a great ror making activities in articles in salaried post at an observatory shock. But the reason given was Astronomy Now (1992) and the was always important to the to fund PhD graduates to use the BAA Journal (1996). small profession. But the effec- new large reflectors overseas. To that end a full transcription tiveness of any observatory in The result is astonishing. By of Webb’s letters to Arthur any period depended upon timely 2001 there were 35 British uni- Cowper Ranyard (housed in the publication of its observations. versities offering PhDs in astron- library of the RAS) is being Photography and the potential of omy or astrophysics; many posts made. This is bringing to light astrophysics then tested whether were overseas. There were 450 much astronomical information an observatory could fund new astronomers in academic depart- and, building on the Robinson’s instruments and engage graduate ments, which had risen to 543 by biography of Webb, The assistants with skills in mathe- 2007. The number of postdocs Stargazer of Hardwicke, more matics, chemistry or physics. In had risen from 210 to 323. There about the ways in which Webb the consequent rigourous sifting had been, therefore, an absolute conducted his astronomical life. between the 1880s and 1939, transformation of university When all the letters are tran- there was a seismic shift in the astronomy and a great shift in scribed and suitably annotated, profession. Figures tell the story. funding and priorities has taken they will be made available in a In 1860 a total of 28 observato- place. usable form for those who are ries in the three groups employed Hutchins found DWD’s work as interested in both nineteenth cen- 46 astronomers, and 21 published a historian so perceptive and tury clerical and social history, results, of which the five univer- provocative that it directly and in the history of one sities employed 8 men, and only inspired his comparative astronomer’s preoccupations. Cambridge published that year. approach, as it surely had the Webb’s contacts with In 1914 a total of 18 observato- work of others. After examining astronomers overseas will also ries employed 57, and 12 pub- Dr Hutchins’ thesis, Dr Dewhirst become clearer through the infor- lished, but now the universities had encouraged its publication. mation in the Ranyard letters and employed 19, and five were pub- Dr Hutchins concluded ‘He has other sources. So far names like: lishing. Remarkably, between my warmest thanks’. the Italian Ercole Dembowski; 1842 and 1939 the six university the American W.S. Gilman observatories above absorbed the The next talk, by Mark and Janet (regarding the alleged planet instruments by gift from 18 pri- Robinson and Paul Haley, asked Vulcan); Alfred Mayer, the vate observatories (and Webb: Quo Vadis? It outlined Belgian François Terby, (an early Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield work in progress being done by advocate of Martian canals); and universities absorbed those of the Webb-Share Project in Johann Schmidt, a German four more). By 1939 the Grand Herefordshire (see p4 and p31). astronomer famous for his maps

SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Page 15 corrected! The career of With illustrates the opportunities that were open- ing up for young men, in this case supported by encouragement from members of the clergy at various points in With’s life. George With was born in modest circumstances, his father at one time being a manufacturer of floor coverings. It has been possi- ble to trace his education through to teacher training for one year. His first post was in Hampshire where he came to the notice of Revd Richard Dawes. When Dawes became dean of Hereford Cathedral he found himself need- ing to appoint a new headmaster at the boys’ Bluecoat School in Hereford. Thanks to the efficien- cy of the postal system Dawes was able to organise proxy votes sufficient to overcome support for a ‘local’ candidate and elect With. He held the position for twenty five years until 1876. With, encouraged by Webb and initially in co-operation with Key, launched into a parallel occupation of mirror making. The rest is history which has yet to be fully, if not finally, explored.

The penultimate talk of the day Preparations for a balloon flight to measure the granulation of the was by Professor Audouin solar photosphere underway at Meudon. Audouin Dollfus, David Dollfus of Meudon Observatory Dewhirst and Donald Blackwell are present (image EX/15/D.3.11, in France. It was presented in courtesy of the Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge). absentia by Mark Hurn and enti- tled Convection or Turbulence? of the Moon, have turned up in tised. This volume shows Key Professor Audouin Dollfus the letters. started as a teenage observer and (born 1924) comes from an aero- The astronomical and scientific went on to make and use his own nautical family. He inherited his activities of Cooper-Key have, up glass mirrors of up to 18¼-inch. enthusiasm for flight from his till now, been largely unexplored As late as 1872 Key installed a father, Charles Dollfus, a balloon and are proving to be of unusual time cannon on the edge of enthusiast and airship pilot. One and varied interest. Thanks to the Hereford which was used for of Audouin’s early projects was help of Mark Hurn, Key’s astro- some eight months and no doubt to determine whether turbulence nomical notebook has been digi- allowed church clocks etc. to be or convection is responsible for

Page 16 SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 the way flux escapes from the Moon’: on Seventeenth Century scientific subject to survive from Sun. To do that, he realised you Translations of Plutarch’s antiquity. In it, the speakers dis- needed high resolution images Dialogue On the Face of the cuss the nature of the face of the which would enable you to see Moon. Moon as well as the role of the the fine structure of the solar Two ancient Greek texts Moon in the cosmos. Plutarch granulation. Such pictures were appealed to the non-specialist mixes ideas of natural philosophy not available at the time and the and were well known to Johannes and mathematics with mytholog- best way to obtain them was by Kepler. A True Story by Lucian of ical accounts. The conversation observing from a high altitude, Samosota ( AD 120) was a satiri- includes consideration of the above the Earth’s disturbed cal, pseudoscientific story of a constitution and size of the Moon atmosphere. voyage to the Moon. It was read and whether it is inhabited. Its In 1956 Dollfus undertook the for relaxation and fun, activities association with various gods and project with David Dewhirst and which were as important to the goddesses is also discussed. One Donald Blackwell of Cambridge ancient Greeks as athletics and suggestion is that it is the place Observatory. A very light literature. Similarly, Plutarch’s where men’s souls reside before telescope was designed, to be dialogue On the Face of the and after entering their bodies. adapted to the basket of a balloon Moon was intended as mental (The beginning of the work is and operated from on-board. refreshment and entertainment. It missing.) The balloon was inflated on 22 recounts myths regarding the While looking for an eye-catch- November 1956 at Meudon. Only Moon, but it also offers an insight ing image, Dr Taub found a 1603 600 cubic metre of hydrogen was into the current knowledge of translation of the Moralia in introduced in the fabric of capac- astronomy (Plutarch died in Cambridge University Library by ity of 1200 cubic metre, to let the about AD 120). Philemon Holland (1522-1637), gas expand and the balloon reach Kepler also wrote a fantasy which was previously unknown an altitude of 6000 metres. David about a trip to the Moon called to her, and which had apparently managed operations on the Somnium (‘Dream’), published not been consulted by Harold ground, while Donald and posthumously in 1634. Asimov Cherniss in preparing his own Audouin took to the skies. David and others have referred to it as edition, translation and notes of said the whole expedition was an early work of science-fiction. the work (for the Loeb Classical great fun. The telescope was Kepler was interested in the Library, originally published in hung from the basket; a slide was astronomical discussions 1957). Holland’s summary of the shown of Donald operating it at Plutarch provided and made ref- Dialogue highlights the chal- 6000 metres. There was no local erence to On the Face of the lenge of the work, the gaps, and turbulence and they were able to Moon in his own work. One of the delight in speculation about take the pictures they required. the interlocutors in Plutarch’s the face in the Moon. Diverse Before a successful landing, the dialogue said that he had trav- arguments are offered to explain telescope was dropped by para- elled from a land far across the its appearance and motion; also chute. The pictures taken were of sea, west of Britannia. Kepler discussed are eclipses and shad- a sufficient quality and resolution believed the continent referred to ows of the Earth. The text gives to answer the question: the was America. Kepler’s transla- proof of the quick wit of the process at work in the solar pho- tion of this work is well-known; author, who draws us to the tosphere is convection, not turbu- Dr Dewhirst reviewed an edition Creator above. Five copies of lence. in the 1960s. Dr Taub wrote a Holland’s translation are to be book referring to it in 2008. found in Cambridge University The last speaker of the day was Plutarch’s On the Face of the Library and it is also available Dr Liba Taub, Director of the Moon is contained in his online. Whipple Museum of the History Moralia, an eclectic collection of After applause, there was a of Science in Cambridge. Her seventy eight essays and tran- comment from the audience that talk was entitled ‘Of the Face scribed speeches. It is one of the Samuel Foster (d. 1652) took appearing in the Roundle of the few dialogues concerned with a over Holland’s post as teacher at

SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Page 17 a Coventry school. There was a Further reading: D.W. Dewhirst, Meridian further comment from Peter Astronomy in the Private and F.G. Smith, Early Work on Radio Hingley that there is a lack of University Observatories of the Stars at Cambridge, in W.T. serious scholarship today in the United Kingdom — Rise and Sullivan (ed.), The Early years of sciences; Dr Taub suggested that Fall, Vistas in Astronomy, 1985, Radio Astronomy: Reflections few people are reading older sci- 28, pp147-58. Fifty years after Jansky’s entific texts any more; she had Discovery, Cambridge L.C. Taub, Aetna and the Moon: been newly inspired to do so by University Press, 1984, pp237- Explaining Nature in Ancient Dr Dewhirst. 266. Greece and Rome, Oregon State University Press, 2008. The Chairman concluded the ses- D.W. Dewhirst, Foreword, sion by asserting the value of Memoirs of the Royal R. Hutchins, British University libraries, librarians and Astronomical Society, 1978, 85, Observatories 1772–1939, archivists. He said we had Catalogue of the Archives and Ashgate, Farnham, Surrey, 2008. enjoyed a memorable day, and Manuscripts of the Royal thanked all concerned: the organ- Astronomical Society, by J.A. J. and M. Robinson, The isers, the speakers, the Institute Bennett. Stargazer of Hardwicke: the Life of Astronomy, and the audience. and Work of Thomas William David Dewhirst had been an M. Hurn, David W. Dewhirst: A Webb, Gracewing,, Chester, inspiration and it had been a great Bibliography, Cambridge 2006. Institute of Astronomy Library. pleasure to hold the day in his D.E. Blackwell, D.W. Dewhirst honour. M. Hoskin, ‘Mining All Within’: and A. Dollfus, Photography of An audio recording of this event Clarke’s Notes to Rohault’s Traité Solar Granulation from a is kept at the SHA Library in de Physique, The Thomist, 1961, Manned Balloon, The Birmingham. 24, pp353-61. Observatory, 1956, 77, pp20-23.

Meeting participants gathered outside the old Observatory buildings. Photograph by Stuart Williams.

Page 18 SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 David Dewhirst: an Appreciation

Allan Chapman

T was to my horror and dismay that I realised historical scientific instruments that would later Ifrom the SHA Newsletter that I had missed the 18 form part of the world-renowned Whipple Museum, April meeting in Cambridge that was to recognise then stored in an old aircraft hangar in the fens. the immense contribution to history of astronomy Yet the areas of David’s great scholarly expertise scholarship of Dr David Dewhirst. I had known that I have ‘tapped into’ the most is that pertaining long in advance, however, that I was not to Sir George Biddell Airy, his work at going to be able to attend the meeting Cambridge, Greenwich, and what personally, for on that day I had a David termed the ‘Cambridge- long-standing engagement to be Greenwich axis’, for I have at Portsmouth Royal Navy been working on a biography Dockyard Museum. But I of Airy for many years. For had promised to send a few David’s knowledge of the words that could be read printed and manuscript out at the meeting, and resources of both the which would say some- Institute of Astronomy thing of the very high and Cambridge esteem in which I hold University Libraries is David, and of my probably unrivalled sense of indebtedness when it comes to to him for all the guid- astronomical matters. ance and encourage- Over the years, he ment which he has has guided me to so given me over many many fascinating years. sources regarding I first met David at Airy and his circle, the conference to mark and has always been a the three hundredth mine of Cambridge anniversary of the found- astronomical ‘lore’, and ing of the Royal I can only express my Observatory, Greenwich, in warmest appreciation for the summer of 1975. I was the rich scholarly expertise immediately impressed by his that he has so liberally granted vast store of both technical and me, and to numerous other peo- historical erudition, not to mention ple. For quite simply, David is the his wit, wry sense of humour, fund of history of astronomy’s scholarly Public stories, and willingness to go to extraordinary Librarian. lengths to help people. For quite simply, his knowl- I last saw David on 27 February 2009, when it was edge of British, and especially Cambridge, astrono- my honour to give the Penston Memorial Lecture to my is encyclopaedic. the Cambridge Astronomical Society. It was not Once, after lunching as David’s guest at the only a great delight to see and talk to David once Institute of Astronomy, I was surprised to be shown again, but to also to have the singular pleasure of part of what I recall was an early electron micro-being introduced to the audience by him. scope with which David had done research in the Thank you, David, very much indeed. late 1940s. I also recall him telling me that, in his Wadham College, Oxford, early Cambridge days, he was shown some of the April 2009.

SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Page 19 The Invention of the Dutch Telescope

Clive Davenhall

N late September 2008 I visit- periods. The centre retains a William Bourne in Elizabethan Ied Middelburg, Holland to Medieval street-plan, though England and Juan Roget (died attend the symposium The most of the buildings are modern, between 1617-24) in Spain. Any Invention of the Dutch Telescope. albeit mostly built in a traditional or all of these individuals may Middelburg is the capital of style; the town was largely have developed working instru- Zeeland, the most south-westerly destroyed during World War II. ments (for some definition of of the Dutch provinces. Getting The reason for holding the sym- ‘working’; the magnification and there involved a short flight from posium in Middelburg was that image quality are a matter of con- Edinburgh and then a two and a the first corroborated example of jecture). However, if they did, quarter hour train journey from working telescopes were made they were isolated instances Schiphol Airport. there in 1608. It is not definitive- which were not widely known Though Middelburg is now a ly known who first invented the and which founded no tradition small, provincial town, it was an telescope. There are at least fif- of manufacture and use. It was important metropolitan centre teen claimants, setting aside the Dutch telescope, invented in circa 1600. It retains the fortifica- implausible suggestions that it Middelburg in 1608, which tions from that time: the angled was known in antiquity. The pos- became widely known, was doc- bastions and canals common in sibilities include Robert umented and reproduced and many European towns during the Grosseteste (circa 1175-1253) in which entered the mainstream of Renaissance and Early Modern Oxford, Leonard Digges and Western culture and life.

The Old Town Hall in Middelburg, built 1452-1562, in which most of the meeting was held, and (inset) a close- up of the sundial.

Page 20 SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Above and upper right: two old views of the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) adjacent to which were the houses of Sacharias Jansen (1) and Hans Lipperhey (2).

Right: the Nieuwe Kerk showing bomb damage sustained during World War II.

Below right: The reconstruction of Hans Lipperhey’s house in the Middelburg Volkssterrenwacht. The tableau shows the indus- trious Lipperhey at work at his bench while his neighbour Sacharias Jansen, who was known to be fond of a tipple, walks past clutching a bottle.

No less than three claimants to the invention of the telescope appeared in 1608, two of them from Middelburg. The first was Hans Lipperhey, an obscure German spectacle maker who had settled in the town. In September 1608 Lipperhey trav- elled to The Hague, the seat of the Dutch Government, the ‘States General’, to apply for a patent for ‘a certain instrument for seeing far.’ This application is the oldest unambiguous extant record of an actual, usable telescope. In the event the patent was not granted because there

SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Page 21 telescope, though he did not pub- Attendees at the meeting enjoy refreshments lish them and they did not in The Great Hall of the Old Town Hall. become widely known until long afterwards. Later in 1609 Galileo Galilei made astronomical obser- vations using an improved telescope of his own design. The result was the Sidereus Nuncius (1610), one of the most important astronomical books ever written. The symposium lasted three days, from Thursday 25 to Saturday 27 September. The venue was the Roosevelt Academy, a college of Utrecht University. Its home is the his- toric Old Town Hall in the Market Square, Middelburg. It is impossible here to do more than give the briefest outline of the meeting.

Thursday 25 September The first day of the conference was held in the Great Hall of the Old Town Hall. The inaugural session in the morning was chaired by Albert van Helden and set the context. The first speaker was Huib Zuidervaart (Huygens Institute and one of the organis- ers) who spoke on The History of were rival claimants: Sacharias young Dutch Republic’s war of the Inventor: 400 Years of Jansen, a neighbour of independence from the Spanish Debate. The first unequivocal Lipperhey’s (they lived literally Crown. As might be expected, description of a telescope dates only a few yards apart) and Jacob the attendees at the peace confer- from 25 September 1608 and is Metius from Alkmaar in northern ence immediately grasped the due to the Middelburg spectacle Holland. military uses of the telescope. maker Hans Lipperhey, though However, during his stay in The The rest is history. The news of within three weeks two other Hague Lipperhey demonstrated the new ‘spyglass’ spread rapidly claimants had emerged; his telescope to Prince Maurits of through Europe. Within six Sacharias Jansen, also from Orange, the Stadholder of the months, in addition to the Dutch Middelburg and Jacob Metius Dutch States (though principally Republic, telescopes were owned from Alkmaar. a soldier, Prince Maurits was also by the French King and his Prime Scholars have long debated who interested in mathematics and Minister, the Governor of the was the first to develop the astronomy) and various Court Spanish Netherlands and the device, some favouring officials and diplomats. The Pope. Lipperhey and others Jansen, diplomats were in The Hague for In July 1609 Thomas Harriot in with Metius having few champi- a peace conference to discuss a England made the first known ons. The origins of the device are cessation of hostilities in the astronomical observations with a likely to remain obscure. Much

Page 22 SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 archival material in Middelburg 1608. Many discoveries that are Utrecht) whose topic was The that could have helped to eluci- now considered pivotal to the Significance of Instruments in the date the story was destroyed dur- development of science occurred Process of the Scientific ing World War II. There is some around 1600, but at the time, and Revolution, circa 1600-1700. He suspicion that telescopic magnifi- within the prevailing standards of considered how two new scientif- cation using two lenses may have knowledge, they were often con- ic instruments, the early been fairly common ‘craft sidered marginal. The Dutch did telescope and the pendulum knowledge’ amongst spectacle no scientific work with the new clock, as well as several existing makers since the 1530s, but it telescope; it was regarded as a ones, helped to define and con- was considered a child’s toy of no military tool or a curiosity rather strain the limits of experimental practical use because the lenses than a scientific instrument. science through the seventeenth available produced highly dis- century. Interestingly the micro- torted images. The final speaker of the morning scope followed a similar path to The session continued with Klaas was Floris Cohen (University of the telescope: it was invented van Berkel (University of Groningen) speaking on Science in a Divided Country: the Influence of War on Scientific Culture in the Low Countries Around 1600. By 1608 Holland had been engaged in a civil war to secede from the Spanish Crown since the 1560s. This con- tinuing conflict influenced the development of science in Holland, which flourished in the universities of the new Republic but fared less well in the provinces still under Spanish rule. For example, the Republic’s universities taught Civil Engineering from their founding.

Following a welcome coffee break the session continued with a contribution by Rienk Vermij (University of Oklahoma) on The Telescope and the European Intellectual Landscape Around

Two boys accidentally discover the principle of the telescope while playing with lenses in this imaginative nineteenth century engraving. An observant specta- cle maker, either Lipperhey, Jansen or Metius looks on (image Mary Evans Picture Library).

SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Page 23 Twente) on A Suspicious Spectacle: Attitudes Towards Eyeglasses Among Early Modern Medical Practitioners. Spectacles were in widespread use but were rarely prescribed by physicians as remedies for defec- tive vision. This reluctance was due to a lack of understanding of how spectacles worked and in difficulties in accommodating them within prevailing theories of how the eye operated. Physicians clung to the notion that the eye functioned by emit- ting rays long after it had been abandoned by natural philoso- The Spectacle Vendor by Jan Collaert after Stradano (1582). This phers. lively street scene illustrates the widespread availability of specta- cles in the late sixteenth century, though the number of people wear- The final talk of the day was ing spectacles is doubtless exaggerated for artistic effect (repro- Mirrors, Spectacles and Looking duced from the exhibition catalogue A Spectacle of Spectacles, by Glasses in Antwerp and the Wolf Winkler (ed), trans. Dorothy Jaeschke, 1988, Carl-Zeiss- Duchy of Brabant in the Stiftung Jena: Leipzig. A copy is available in the Society's Library). Sixteenth and Seventeenth Century by Daniëlle Caluwé. She around 1610 but did not become Alhacen’s contribution, though reported on recent archaeological an experimental device until the significant, may have been over- excavations and studies of extant second half of the seventeenth estimated. inventories which had estab- century. lished the nature and extent of the The next presentation, William sixteenth and seventeenth centu- Following a break for lunch the Bourne’s Invention: Practical ry Dutch spectacle manufacture, meeting resumed for an after- Optics and the Prehistory of the revealing a widespread and well- noon session on The Pre- Telescope, by Sven Dupré developed trade network. Telescopic Era chaired by Huib (University of Ghent), considered Zuidervaart. The first speaker the possibility that the English Friday 26 September was Mark Smith (University of mathematician William Bourne On the second day of the confer- Missouri) who spoke on Alhacen had developed a type of telescope ence the morning session was not and Kepler and the Origins of involving a lens and a mirror held in the Old Town Hall, but in Modern Lens Theory. The Arabic around 1580. He concluded that the Zeeuswse Biliotheek, or Town scholar Alhacen (965-circa the existence of such a device Library, located a short walk 1039/40) had an enormous influ- must remain unproven. The lack from the market Square and ence on the evolution of optics in of a theoretical understanding of across one of the several canals the West between 1250-1600, its operation and the limitations (and closer to my hotel, as it hap- particularly via his treatise De of lens and mirror manufacture pens). It is a modern building aspectibus. He is often consid- would have made it impossible to with an impressively appointed ered the founder of the theoreti- produce such devices reliably. lecture theatre. cal and mathematical foundations of optics. However, by a close Following a short tea break the The morning session was The comparison with Kepler’s work meeting continued with a talk by Emergence of the Telescope (I) on optics, Smith argued that Katrien Vanagt (University of and was chaired by Sven Dupré.

Page 24 SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 The first talk should have been The demonstration in Part III in the Market Square. The first given by Vincent Illardi on convincingly showed this effect. speaker was Mario Biagioli Recently Discovered Findings on (Harvard) who deviated from his the History and Development of Giuseppe Molesini (Istituto published title to speak on the Eyeglasses before the Telescope. Nazionale di Ottica Applicata, public dissemination of the new Unfortunately the author was too Florence) continued in a similar telescopic results in particular, ill to attend, so Sven Dupré gave vein with a talk on Testing Kepler’s use of witnessing in a short summary of his work. Dr Telescope Optics in Seventeenth 1610 in his defence of Galileo’s Illardi’s main field of interest was Century Italy. He gave a progress results. Galileo had written the Renaissance diplomatic history. report on a project to test the Sidereus Nuncius as a popular He had come across records of optics of the extant Seventeenth book aimed at a wide readership sales of spectacles by chance and Century lenses in Italy. Most of rather than as a scholarly text. had become fascinated by them. the ones tested were of very high Biagioli argued that this approach He had then spent twenty years quality and usually had different obliged Kepler to defend it in tracing down records of transac- focal lengths to spectacle lenses, terms familiar to the public rather tions involving spectacles and in consistent with their different than to scholars, which in turn, the process has revolutionised use. meant using judicial or legal understanding of the early spec- arguments. tacle trade. His findings are sum- The final talk of the morning ses- marised in his recent book sion was given by Yaakov Zik The next speakers were Marvin Renaissance Vision from and Giora Hon (University of Bolt (Adler Planetarium, Spectacles to Telescopes. Haifa, Israel) on Magnification. Chicago) and Michael Korey A proper understanding of mag- (Mathematisch-Physikalischer The next three talks together con- nification by lenses dates from Salon, Dresden State Art stituted the keynote lecture and Kepler in his Dioptrice (1611) Collections) who were Searching they were given by Rolf Willach, and thus was not available to for Telescopes in Unexpected an Independent Scholar from Galileo when he built his first Places. They reported on a con- Switzerland, under the general telescope. The conventional theo- tinuing collaboration to locate title The Long Way to the ry is that Galileo and the crafts- telescopes dating from the first Invention of the Telescope. The men who preceded him stumbled half of the seventeenth century. individual titles of the first two on their designs by accident. Zik Prior to their work ten such tele- parts indicate the material cov- and Hon contended that this argu- scopes were known. They had ered: Part I: From the Antique ment is not credible and that located a further seven, but fol- Rock-Crystal-Lenses to the Galileo, at least, could have lowing discussion from the audi- Invention of Spectacles and Part designed his telescopes using ence one of these was removed, II: From the early Spectacles to analogies with systems of mir- leaving six. The known tele- the Invention of the Telescope. rors, which were well-under- scopes are only a small fraction Part III was somewhat different stood. of the number produced. It is and comprised a practical likely that more will be found. demonstration. In part II Mr Lunch was also provided in the Willach convincingly demon- Library, but the afternoon session Following the tea break Eileen strated that most Early Modern resumed in the Old Town Hall. Reeves (Princeton) spoke on Late lenses were not of adequate qual- The morning’s theme was contin- News and Complete Inventions: ity for use in telescopes, with the ued with The Emergence of the Galileo and the Telescope. She peripheral regions away from the Telescope (II), chaired by Rob discussed the apparent discrepan- centre being particularly prone to van Gent. The Great Hall’s cy between the rapid dissemina- distortions. He then showed they acoustics were not wonderful at tion of news of the Dutch could be used in telescopes if a the best of times and they were telescope throughout Europe and diaphragm was used to mask the not improved by the rock band Galileo’s relatively late acquain- outer regions prone to distortion. which was giving a performance tance with it. She suggested that

SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Page 25 the news may have reached but that he interpreted them to speaking on Telescopes and Galileo via his friend Fr Paolo support the new Copernican Optics, 1609-69. The talk consid- Sarpi (1552-1623). She further world-view rather than the ered the extent to which Kepler’s suggested that both Sarpi and Ptolemaic system. Dioptrice (1611) laid the founda- Galileo may have mistakenly tions for geometrical optics and assumed that the device con- Saturday 27 September the modern understanding of tel- tained mirrors. Tales of far-seeing The final day of the meeting, escopes. Kepler’s book intro- devices involving mirrors had Saturday 27 September, was duced much of the underlying circulated for centuries. The originally scheduled to take place mathematics and many of the device usually belonged to a in the Old Town Hall. However, concepts necessary to understand potentate and was located in a at short notice it was relocated to optical systems, but he did not high tower, from which he spied the Zeeuswse Biliotheek, as it use the concept of the geometri- on his subjects and enemies alike. was anticipated that the noise cal image, which is crucial to The mythical Medieval king from the Market Square would modern treatments. This concept Prester John was often assumed continue. This decision was prob- was introduced in the 1660s by to have such a contraption and ably sensible as various events Newton and others. the devices often became con- seemed to be happening in the fused with ‘burning mirrors’ (see Square, including an antique car After a coffee break the next Newsletter 12, November 2006, rally. The first session of the speaker was Fokko Jan p10 and p20). morning was The Reception and Dijksterhuis (University of Early Development (I), chaired Trente) whose topic was The final speaker of the after- by Henk Meijer. The first speaker Knowledge of Telescopes noon was Albert van Helden was Henrique Leitão Throughout the Dutch Republic. (Utrecht University and Rice (Universidade de Lisboa) who The canonical story is that news University) whose topic was spoke on G.P. Lembo’s Lecture of the telescope spread quickly Galileo's Telescope: Realism and Notes on the Telescope, in through Europe following Astronomy. Galileo turned the Lisbon, 1615-17. Lembo was a Lipperhey’s demonstration at humble spyglass into an instru- Jesuit priest attached to the The Hague in 1608. The talk pro- ment for astronomical research. Roman College who was skilled vided counterexamples of people The talk examined Galileo’s in mathematics, astronomy and experiencing considerable diffi- astronomical discoveries. It is instrument making. He was culties obtaining telescopes in the well-known that after the initial largely responsible for the Netherlands in the years follow- flurry of discoveries, largely Jesuit’s confirmation of Galileo’s ing 1608. A case in point is Isaac reported in the Sidereus Nuncius, results and, indeed, made many Beeckman who became an enthu- there were few major astronomi- observations independently of siast for the telescope and in cal advances until the mid-seven- Galileo. Later he taught at the order to obtain lenses of adequate teenth century, largely due to the Jesuit’s College in Lisbon which quality ended up getting himself technical limitations of the was responsible for training apprenticed as a lens maker and instrument. Galileo’s way of priests sent to the New World and making them himself. He kept a working seems to have been to the Far East. He taught a variant diary which is a unique source of pursue a number of ‘research of the Tychonic theory and information about early lens projects’, tackling one before telescope manufacture. The making. moving on to the next: the moun- inclusion of this material in mis- tains of the Moon, the satellites sionary training contributed to The final talk of the morning ses- of Jupiter, sunspots etc, rather the rapid spread of knowledge sion was by Albert Clement than making more omnivorous, about the telescope. (Roosevelt Academy) who gave less-directed observations. The an interesting and unusual talk on impact of his work was, of The session continued with Music as a Liberal Art and the course, that he not merely made Antoni Malet (Universitat Invention of the Telescope. and reported the observations, Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona) Nowadays we regard music as an

Page 26 SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 art firmly in the humanities rather than a science. But in the Middle Ages it was classified as a ‘liber- al art’ along with mathematics and astronomy and formed one of the subjects of Quadrivium of the Medieval University curriculum. This classification derived ulti- mately from Pythagorean ideas of harmony underlying both astronomy and music; in a phrase the ‘music of the spheres.’ Ironically enough, just as Galileo and others were shattering Aristotelian ideas of the Universe Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643) was revolutionising musical A postcard showing some of the instruments from SHA Member composition with the seconda Peter Louwman’s extensive collection of historic telescopes on dis- pratica or stile moderno, and one play at the Zeeus Museum. of the most ardent advocates of the new style was Vincenzio East and West India Companies. ing remarks to sum up the confer- Galilei, Galileo’s father. ence. He recalled that he had The next talk was given by Henk been working in this field for Lunch involved a quick trip to the Zoomers (Asian Historical nearly forty years, during which Old Town Hall and back (and in Consultancy, Amsterdam) on The time our understanding of the my case adroitly avoiding being Netherlands, Siam and the emergence of the telescope had run over by a parade of antique Telescope: the First Asian improved beyond all recognition. cars). The afternoon session con- Encounter with the Dutch The depth of knowledge now tinued the morning’s theme with Invention. In the early seven- available was exemplified by the The Reception and Early teenth century Holland was presentations over the past few Development (II), chaired by developing extensive trade with days. In particular we now had a Albert Clement. The first speaker the Far East and The Dutch East better understanding of how the was Jan Parmentier who spoke India Company was founded in telescope emerged from the exist- on An Eye for Sailing: The Use of 1602. During 1608-10 an ing craft of spectacle manufac- the Spyglass in Navigation. In the Embassy from the King of Siam ture and how the instrument late sixteenth and seventeenth visited the Dutch Republic and spread. On behalf of all the atten- centuries Holland was a major Lipperhey’s new telescope was dees, he also thanked all the maritime power with trade to the demonstrated to them. The talk organisers for the enormous New World and Far East. These described this event, the first amount of effort and work that open-sea journeys required celes- Asian encounter with the new had gone into making the meet- tial navigation. The talk reported technology, and the subsequent ing a success. a study of records of instruments spread of the device in Asia. It is made and sold, navigation books, well-known that the Jesuits used However, the meeting was not nautical instruments and ship’s the device in China, but it was quite over. The participants were journals to determine when the also introduced into Japan, Laos now invited to visit the telescope became a routine part and Burma. Volkssterrenwacht (or Public of a ship’s navigational instru- Observatory) run by local volun- ments. By the mid-seventeenth Dr Zoomers’ talk was the last teers. This observatory was a century they seem to have been in presentation. However, Albert short walk away across the centre common use in both the Dutch van Helden made a few conclud- of Middelburg and occupies a

SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Page 27 f a s c i n a t i n g teenth century newsletter entitled exhibition of Embassies of the King of Siam early telescopes sent to his Excellency Prince held in the Town Maurits, arrived in The Hague on Museum, the 10 September 1608. The main Zeeuws Museum, part of this newsletter describes using items from the arrival of the first Siamese the extensive diplomatic mission to Europe. personal collec- However, it ends with a brief tion of SHA description of Lipperhey’s member Peter demonstration of his telescope in Louwman. The Hague, one of the few con- temporary accounts to survive. A The meeting sumptuously printed and lavishly was most illustrated copy has recently been informative and published. Transcription of the enjoyable, and I original French and translation learnt a great into English and Dutch are by deal. The eluci- Henk Zoomers and editing is by dation of the Huib Zuidervaart. To obtain a probable origin copy contact Peter Louwman in of the telescope the first instance. Hans Lipperhey (1570?-1619). in Middelburg early in the sev- Dioptrice, the database of refract- fine old building. Refreshments enteenth century was fascinating. ing telescopes made prior to 1775 and solar observing were on offer Some of the other highlights, at is being compiled by Eugene (the weather had been fine and least for me, were the putative Rudd, Duane Jaecks, Marvin bright throughout the meeting Elizabethan telescopes, the extent Bolt and Michael Korey. There is and early Saturday evening was of the sixteenth and seventeenth a Web site at: particularly warm and sunny for century spectacle trade, the role http://historydb.adlerplanetari- late September). It is the wrong of the Jesuits in disseminating um.org/dioptrice/. The authors time of the cycle for sunspots but knowledge of the telescope and are always pleased to hear of any an impressive prominence was Kepler’s role in geometrical information about additional tele- visible. The Volkssterrenwacht optics. It only remains to add my scopes to add to the list. also houses a splendid museum own thanks to everyone involved to the early telescope. Numerous in organising the meeting. An article presenting the evi- early telescopes and optical dence for Juan Roget (died instruments are on display, there Further reading between 1617-24) as a possible is a reproduction of the frontage Spanish inventor of the telescope of the Lipperhey’s house and Proceedings of the symposium appeared in History Today (2008, workshop and working reproduc- are in preparation and will be 58 (10), p26). tions of early lens grinding and published in due course. In the polishing machines. This visit meantime the conference Web The Middelburg made a memorable and enjoyable site is still available at URL: Volkssterrenwacht has published end to a most informative and http://www.roac.nl/roac/newslist. Wandelroute langs historische stimulating conference. phtml?p=news&i=133 astronomische plekjes in Middelburg, an astronomical In addition to the meeting proper SHA member Peter Louwman’s walking tour of the town (2008, there were several events held private collection contains a copy in Dutch). A copy is available in during the evenings, including a of an extremely rare early seven- the Society’s Library.

Page 28 SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Victorian Astronomy Day at the Black Country Museum

John Armitage

N Saturday 14 March 2009 a OVictorian Astronomy and Technology Day was held at the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley, West Midlands. It was organised by the Pendrell Hall Observatories, which include the Wrottesley Observatory in the Black Country Museum (see Newsletter no. 16, July 2008, pp33-34). The event was organ- ised as a contribution to the IYA and involved displays, demon- strations and an excellent range of talks. It was judged a great success. The first speaker of the day was the Right Revd Michael Bourke, the recently retired Bishop of

The speakers at the event. From left to right: Right. Revd M.G. Bourke (former Bishop of Wolverhampton); Dr Allan Chapman (Wadham College Oxford, SHA Hon. President); John Armitage (founder, Pendrell Hall Observatories); Sir Arnold Wolfendale, FRS (fourteenth Astronomer Royal); Bob Marriott (BAA). All photographs by Stuart Williams.

Wolverhampton, who gave a dili- final speaker in the morning ses- gently researched and excellently sion was Bob Marriott, the presented contribution on Instrument Curator of the BAA, Victorian Clerical Astronomers. who spoke on The Silver on The second speaker was John Glass Revolution, looking at the Armitage, talking on Lord John life and times of Revd T.W. Wrottesley, Second Baron Webb, with comments also on Wrottesley, his life, times and With and Calver. legacy. Lord Wrottesley was a During the lunch break partici- man of not only local but nation- pants had further opportunity to Two Victorian-style brass al significance in nineteenth cen- examine the many exhibits on refracting telescopes. tury science and astronomy. The display, which included a recent-

SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Page 29 ly restored Cooke refractor, and also to visit the Wrottesley Observatory, which is situated in the middle of the Black Country Museum’s open air site. After the lunch break, the pro- gramme of talks continued, start- ing with Sir Arnold Wolfendale, FRS, the fourteenth Astronomer Royal. He spoke appropriately about Victorian Astronomers Royal, of whom there were two: G.B. Airy and William Christie, bringing the times of these men to life. The final speaker of the day was Above: Some of the instruments and equipment on display, including the SHA’s Honorary President, a Victorian transit telescope, a simple Newtonian reflecting Allan Chapman, who gave a star telescope and old camera lenses. performance on the life of James Glaisher: Victorian astronomer, Below: Another view of the small Victorian transit telescope. meteorologist and daring aero- naut. This talk also had a local connection as Glaisher’s record- breaking balloon ascent in 1862 took place from nearby

Wolverhampton, which also lies strations, tours of the Wrottesley within the confines of the Black Observatory and an excellent Country. line-up of speakers. It is expected An excellent day was had by to coincide with a ‘Steam Day’ at all, and many people said similar the Museum, when our steam events should be organised in devices will be in operation, A Victorian Observatory future. In response to this request including the 1712 Newcomen Regulator Clock, dated circa I am pleased to report that a fur- Beam Engine, colliery winding 1880. This timepiece was ther event entitled Victorian and engines, and we hope also a vin- recently removed from the Edwardian Astronomy will take tage steam car! Burlington House apartments of place at the Black Country So a full programme of astro- the RAS/BAA and is now on Museum on Saturday 20 March nomical events on that day and loan to the Pendrell Hall 2010 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. other attractions also. Watch out Observatories Group. It will include displays, demon- for further details in due course.

Page 30 SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Travels of the Revd T.W. Webb

Paul Haley HIS progress report includes (1776-1869) contacted George to a 5-foot Dollond in 1826 and Tnew research findings about Dollond (1774-1852) about dia- an 11-foot, 7-inch Dollond in Revd Thomas William Webb lyte telescopes. Although the esti- 1831. Webb recalled an early (1806-1885) which are emerging mate proved too costly Webb view of the planet Uranus: from the Webb-Share project (see retained his interest in this form ‘Once I had the pleasure of see- p4). The article focuses on the of instrument and was able to use ing it as a beautiful miniature full fascinating way Webb interacted Buckingham’s dialyte more than moon, with an 11 feet achromatic with many of the private observa- thirty years later. of 7 inches aperture, the “chef- tories of Victorian times and how d’oeuvre” of the late George he embraced the new technology Dollond, at that time the property of silvered-glass mirrors. Webb of H. Lawson, Esq., of Bath, and made at least twenty observatory subsequently bequeathed by him visits during sixty years of to the Greenwich Naval School.’ observing in the mid-nine- In July 1834 Webb’s father teenth century. purchased a 5-foot, 3.7-inch In March 1826 Thomas refractor by Tulley & Sons – travelled by coach to this was Thomas’ ‘common Oxford for his matricula- telescope’ which he used tion. He visited the until the end of 1857. Bodleian Library and the Mounted on an altazimuth Radcliffe Observatory. stand outside in the open Close inspection of tele- air this instrument pro- scopes by Dollond and duced the majority of Herschel combined with observations for Celestial the lectures by Stephen Objects during the period Peter Rigaud (1774-1839), 1847-57. The project was the Savilian Professor of inspired by his father’s fur- Astronomy and Director of ther gift of the Bedford the Radcliffe Observatory, Catalogue by William Henry were highlights of Webb’s Smyth (1788-1865) which early life whilst he was complet- described observations made ing his BA at Magdelen College. with an 8½-foot, 5.9-inch Tulley Rigaud’s interest in the history of refractor. Webb had the opportu- science may have ignited a simi- nity of using this instrument for lar passion in his keen student. Revd Thomas William Webb himself in 1860. More inspiration came during (1806-85). In 1848 Webb again visited the his visit to the Royal Observatory Royal Observatory in Greenwich. in Greenwich in May 1828 where The influence on Webb of His occasional trips to ‘town’ Thomas was shown Halley’s George Dollond’s telescopes also facilitated visits to private equatorial stand and zenith sector extended to Hereford. Between observatories. In 1849 he made by the Astronomer Royal John 1823 and 1841 Henry Lawson his first visit to South Villa Pond (1767-1836). Webb began (1774-1855) lived there and Observatory in Regents Park. experimenting with metallic made astronomical, meteorologi- This observatory was owned by specula and fluid-lenses. In 1832 cal and atmospheric electricity George Bishop (1785-1861) who Thomas’ father Revd John Webb observations. Lawson upgraded had appointed John Russell Hind

SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Page 31 The entry in Webb’s Observing Notebook for 1 May 1860 (volume 5, p288) describing observations made at the Hartwell Observatory (courtesy of the RAS).

(1823-95) as his astronomical proved poor, despite the central Webb described the ‘glorious observer in 1844 to use his 7-inch part of the lens being masked: sight’: Dollond – whose optics were ‘The moon was only 2° or 3° ‘I plainly saw the dark greenish- similar to those used by Lawson. from the planet; so that the great blue & grey polar & brown equa- At this stage Hind had discovered light of this instrument was less torial belts – the ring all clear of the minor planets Iris and Flora, effective than might have been the S pole, the shadow on each Nova Ophuichi, two comets and expected; a foot also of the centre side of the ball – across the ring the long-period variable R of the object-glass was covered: B, widening out till it reached, Leporis, also known as ‘Hind’s on the whole the effect was very but did not cross, the great divi- Crimson Star’. disappointing: & the view much sion .... many satellites.’ 1849 was a significant year for less satisfactory than with my On 19 May 1858 Webb was Webb. He resigned his duties in own achromatic.’ again trying out optics by Gloucester Cathedral in June and On May 18, 1854 Webb Thomas Slater (1817-89) whose his mother died in July. Thomas returned to Regents Park. Hind work for the Craig telescope had and his wife Henrietta moved to was now Superintendent of the proved unsuccessful. Slater’s Ganarew in Monmouthshire Nautical Almanac but continued ‘great achromatic’ was a 20-foot, where he had been appointed to oversee activities at Bishop’s 14-inch objective which he set up curate. Within a year he had been observatory. Webb observed with in the New Road, London. Webb elected a Fellow of the RAS and Albert Marth (1828-97) who had noticed the object glass was out had begun writing for Monthly just discovered the minor planet of adjustment but recorded Notices. Amphitrite with the 7-inch details on the lunar terminator Three years later on October 28, Dollond. They observed a and an occultation of Regulus: 1852 Webb visited Wandsworth coloured double star in Bootes ‘I was surprised to find this Common. The 76-foot, 24-inch and M13, the globular cluster in event was impending, and fortu- giant achromatic erected by Revd Hercules. nate enough to witness it in per- John Craig (1805-1877) was the Warren De La Rue (1815-89) fection. Though Mr Slater saw largest refracting telescope in the was based at Canonbury when the dark limb well, I could not world at the time (see Webb visited on 7 December make it out sufficiently to ascer- Newsletters no. 3, November 1855. They observed Saturn tain if there was any projection; 2003, pp1-2 and no. 4, May 2004, together using De La Rue’s 10- but the star continued in full p1). Webb arrived at the observ- foot, 13-inch metal speculum brightness, and then was snuffed ing site in moonlight and the reflector. Despite having no clock out almost instantaneously. Its sight of the huge tower with the drive this instrument had already disappearance could not have 3-ton telescope slung in a cradle produced fine photographs of the occupied 0.25.’ must have been impressive. Moon using the new collodion Webb began observing from Unfortunately the image quality process. Using a power of 300 Hardwicke at the beginning of

Page 32 SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 1857. He sold his Tulley refractor ered three minor planets, Isis, to import the new ideas of Leon in December of that year and Ariadne and Hestia, and was Foucault (1819-68) making a 7½- used Henrietta’s Bardou 2.2-inch seeking to further develop his inch and two 12-inch specula by refractor until his ‘first trial’ of an career. 1864. Webb visited Stretton Alvan Clark 7-foot, 5½-inch Observing conditions were Rectory on 17 May 1862 to see objective on 30 September 1858 slightly better the following night Key’s 10-foot, 12-inch reflector. on Donati’s Comet. Webb perse- when Webb visited William Inspired by Key’s work George vered with the problems of Rutter Dawes (1799-1868) at Henry With (1827-1904) quickly observing in the open air, a tem- Hopefield Observatory, took up the challenge of the new porary tube, lens adjustments, a Haddenham for a ‘delightful technology and loaned Webb a poor stand and second-hand eye- evening’. Only the ‘eagle-eyed 4½-foot, 5½-inch silvered-glass pieces for several years. During Dawes’ was able to glimpse mirror in 1863. this period Celestial Objects for Enceladus near Saturn on this A year later Webb again com- Common Telescopes was pub- occasion. Dawes had been using bined two observing visits on lished by Longman on 20 August Alvan Clark objectives since successive nights. On 17 May 1859. 1854 and had worked with the 1864 he met with James Celestial Objects was dedicated American instrument maker the Buckingham (dates unknown) to Vice-Admiral W. H. Smyth previous year when the 9-foot, who had an engineering works at whose Bedford Catalogue had so 8¼-inch objective was installed. Walworth Common. inspired Webb in 1847. Within a Webb may have realised that pur- Buckingham worked with the year of its appearance Webb was chasing a suitable mount for his optician William Wray (1829-86) observing with Smyth’s former own 5½-inch objective would be whose experiments with reducing Tulley refractor. It had been a costly affair and an observatory chromatic aberration in object transferred to Hartwell would be a further expense. glasses had proved very success- Observatory in 1839 which was Dawes was nearing the end of his ful. Webb used Buckingham’s at the Aylesbury home of Dr John observing career which had 30-foot, 21-inch Wray objective Lee (1783-1866) and Webb visit- begun with a 1.6-inch objective on the globular cluster in ed there on 1 May 1860. Norman in 1826. Six months after Webb’s Hercules: Robert Pogson (1829-91) had visit Dawes’ second wife died ‘13M wonderfully resolved, been appointed director of the and his health further deteriorat- notwithstanding strong moon- observatory a year earlier. ed. light…’ Pogson was a mathematician In 1859 Herefordshire became The following night Webb was who had calculated orbital ele- the birthplace of silvered-glass in Leyton at the observatory of ments for Hind. By the time of mirrors in this country. Revd Joseph Gurney Barclay (1816- Webb’s visit Pogson had discov- Henry Cooper Key was the first 98; see The Antiquarian

Entries in Webb’s Observing Notebook for April and May 1865 (volume 1, p104) made during visits to Henry Slack’s observatory in Camden and James Buckingham at Walworth Common (courtesy of the RAS).

SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Page 33 Entries from Webb’s Observing Notebook for October and November 1865 (volume 1, p113) recording observations made with George Henry With and Revd Henry Cooper Key (courtesy of the RAS).

Astronomer, 3, 2006, pp11-18 On 20 April 1865 Webb visited tory. Bird’s telescope drive used a and Newsletter no. 17, October Henry James Slack (1818-96) in clepsydra or water-clock which 2008, p23). The observer present Camden and used his 3-inch could keep objects centred in his was probably Hermann Romberg Steinheil objective in a 7-foot telescope field for over two (1836-98) who worked there dur- square balcony observatory hours. They observed double ing 1862-64 and William Radcliff attached to a south-east facing stars and lunar clefts and Birt (1804-81) was also present. drawing room. Slack appreciated undoubtedly discussed silvered- They used the 12-foot, 10½-inch the need for controlling air cur- glass specula since Bird had vis- Cooke refractor which had an rents and ensured the mainly ited Key and With in 1862 and excellent objective to observe the glass construction could quickly was now producing these com- Moon and Saturn: cool down to the outside air tem- mercially. ‘I had the great pleasure of perature. It is likely that Webb Webb’s experience of using sil- viewing the planet in Mr discussed the new silvered-glass vered-glass mirrors was further Barclay’s great achromatic of opportunities – especially as developed on 12 October 1865 10.5 inches aperture, at Leyton. With was now supplying mirrors when he visited With in Hereford 1 The evening was favourable, & for John Browning (1835-1925). to try a 7-foot, 10 /8-inch specula though there was some haze & Slack soon purchased a 6-foot, – observing close double stars, much moonlight, a power of 330 6¼-inch With-Browning instru- the Andromeda Nebula and a was quite sharp, & I never saw ment which was displayed at De globular cluster in Pegasus. Saturn so well, excepting with De La Rue’s soiree in January 1865. Further encouragement to adopt La Rue’s superb 13-inch specu- One month later on 18 May this new technology occurred on lum. Ring C was very obvious, & 1865 Webb again visited 3 November 1865 when Webb thought considerably brightest Buckingham’s observing site. In joined With to visit Key’s large towards the planet, but so feeble addition to using the large achro- ‘Romney’ observatory, designed as compared with B…’ matic he also used a 14-foot, 8¾- by Revd Edward Lyon Berthon In August 1864 Webb was able inch dialyte objective design by (1813-1899), at Stretton Rectory. to experiment with a 6-foot, 8- Wray. They used Key’s 10-foot, 12-inch inch With silvered-glass specula On 7 September 1865 Webb telescope which resolved γ2 And alongside his 7-foot, 5½-inch was in Birmingham visiting despite poor seeing conditions. Alvan Clark objective. The Frederick Bird (dates unknown) Shortly after this the speculum refractor won this trial but due to who had a 12-inch Newtonian on was acquired by David Gill an inadequate mount Webb did a Tulley mahogany stand set up (1843-1914) of Aberdeen at the not use it after 1866. in a 9-foot circular brick observa- start of his distinguished career.

Page 34 SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Key upgraded to an 18-inch aper- Huggins wished to upgrade his since 1858 when the 13-year old ture in 1867 – the second largest telescope and four months later it Ranyard first wrote to Webb silvered-glass mirror in the world had been sold. In recognition of about buying a telescope. at that time. his work the Royal Society Another important guest was Having watched his son’s delib- loaned him with two interchange- Revd Thomas H.E.C. Espin erations over telescope designs able Grubb telescopes consisting (1858-1934) who experienced for nearly four decades Webb’s of a 15-inch refractor and 18-inch one of Hardwicke’s earth tremors father, who had retired to speculum metal Cassegrain during a visit on 19 November Hardwicke in 1860, now support- reflector. These were ready for 1879 and observed Saturn with ed Thomas’ purchase of a 7-foot, use by 1871 with spectroscopes Webb on 14 October 1880. Espin 1 9 /3-inch With silvered-glass mir- added later. Webb visited Tulse subsequently became one of ror. The first trial was in April Hill again on 25 October 1872 to Webb’s executors and used his 1866 and by the following year use the 15-foot, 15-inch objective £100 legacy towards the pur- Webb also had a Berthon eques- to view planetary nebulae with chase of a 17½-inch Calver sil- trian mount inside a Romsey Huggins’ spectroscope and vered-glass reflector, upgraded to Observatory. With the publica- Neptune: a 24-inch aperture in 1914. Espin tion of the second edition of ‘The planet was a brilliant revised two more editions of Celestial Objects in 1868, the object … of a bluish light & Celestial Objects, with the sixth third in 1873 and the fourth in showing a considerable disc; & appearing in 1917. 1881 Webb could at last take the satellite was steadily visible Revd T.W. Webb has inspired pride in the knowledge that his at some distance sp.’ generations of astronomers and it nights observing in the open air Webb’s Observing Notebooks is hoped that this article will con- were over. reveal the value that he placed in tribute further to our understand- Webb made his third visit to having his own observatory. He ing of Victorian astronomy. A Buckingham’s observing site on averaged 30 nights observation further Bulletin article will exam- 7 October 1867 to use both his per year in the decade before ine how Webb’s telescopes, telescopes on close doubles, the 1867, with the highest number accessories and observing prac- faint companion stars of Vega (67 nights) in 1862. In the first tices developed during his life- and the Ring Nebula in Lyra. decade after the observatory was time. A paper covering the life of On 13 April 1869 Webb visited built Webb averaged 48 nights Revd Henry Cooper Key (1819- the Tulse Hill observatory of per year, with the highest number 1879) is currently being prepared William Huggins (1824-1910; (83) in 1871. His stamina contin- for The Antiquarian Astronomer. see Bulletin no. 18, June 2009, ued well into his seventies and at Finally, I wish to acknowledge pp7-10) and used his 10-foot, 8- the age of 77 Webb was still the assistance of and information inch Alvan Clark refractor which recording observations on over supplied by Janet and Mark he had purchased from Dawes in 30 nights of the year. Robinson, Peter Hingley, Mark 1858. Huggins was pioneering For the first time he could also Hurn, Bob Arglye, Bob Marriott, the new science of spectroscopy act as host for visitors to his Rhys Griffith, Webb-Share vol- and had already observed observatory. These included unteer researchers, members of Doppler shifts in the spectral Herbert Sadler (1856-98) on 24 the Society for the History of lines of stars and hydrocarbon March 1875 – which considering Astronomy and the Haley family. bands in cometary spectra. They the Sadler-Smyth scandal in 1879 Illustrations in this article are looked for the fine lines in the was an irony. On 31 December from the archives of the Royal spectrum of Regulus and also 1877 Key visited Webb and they Astronomical Society and are close double stars including γ2 observed the variable star S reproduced courtesy of that And and ζ Cancri using powers Orionis which Webb had discov- Society. Special thanks are due to up to 980. Webb was impressed ered in 1869. Arthur Ranyard the Heritage Lottery Fund which with the quality of stellar images: (1845-94) was also present on has supported ‘The Share ‘The discs perfectly circular, this date – they having main- Initiative’ with a 3-year ‘Your uniform, & hard to their edges.’ tained a letter correspondence Heritage’ award.

SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Page 35 Further Reading Webb-Ranyard letters will be English Mechanic, Astronomical made available digitally through Register and Monthly Notices. Janet and Mark Robinson the RAS, SHA and IoA Libraries The Web sites http://www.space- describe Webb’s life and work in and Herefordshire Archive watch.co.uk and The Stargazer of Hardwicke Service during 2010. h t t p : / / w w w. h e a v e n s a b o v e - (2006, Gracewing: Chester). film.co.uk/ contain further infor- Webb’s Observing Notebooks Further information is available mation about the Webb-Share and transcribed copies of the 331 from The Intellectual Observer, project.

Exterior and interior views of Sir William Huggins’ observatory at Tulse Hill, London, which Webb visited in April 1869 and October 1872.

Page 36 SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 From Trincomalee to Mars

Nalaka Gunawardene

HRISTMAS Day 2008 in December 1864. defences of Trincomalee.’ This Cmarked the hundredth Molesworth Junior was educat- mainly concerned the deep water anniversary of the death of a ed at Winchester College in harbour there, whose strategic remarkable man who pioneered England and obtained his com- importance was well understood astronomical observations in mission in 1886. After passing by the colonial administration. colonial Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). through the Royal Military Although his work and hobby Most people in the land of his Academy at Woolwich and still took him to various places in birth might not have heard of Chatham, he was first stationed at Asia and Africa, Trincomalee him, but a large crater on Mars Fort Camden in Cork Harbour, soon became the home from immortalises his name. Ireland. In 1891, he was sent to where he would scan the equato- By profession, Percy Hong Kong for three years, dur- rial skies for over a decade. Braybrooke Molesworth (1867- ing which period he engaged in Contemporaries have described 1908) was a Major in the corps of astronomical observations and Molesworth as having ‘keen eye- Royal Engineers, but he was bet- dispatched drawings of Mars to sight, great artistic skill, and ter known as one of the world’s the British Astronomical above all, enormous energy.’ Sir leading amateur astronomers at Association (BAA), of which he Arthur C. Clarke, another astro- the beginning of the twentieth was a founding member. nomic ally-inclined Englishman century. From his personal obser- After Hong Kong, Molesworth who was to settle down in Ceylon vatory in Trincomalee, on sought a placement in Ceylon. He decades later, has written: ‘As an Ceylon’s east coast, Molesworth was posted to the island of his invasion from India did not seem both observed the night sky and birth in 1896, and assigned to be a serious threat, Molesworth had photographed celestial bodies, ‘engaged in perfecting the plenty of spare time – and used it sharing his results with leading very effectively to make some astronomical groups in the West. superb maps of Mars, using a Armed only with a basic 12.5-inch (32 cm) Calver reflec- telescope, a sharp eye and good tor.’ drawing skills, he made signifi- Molesworth set up his personal cant contributions to advanc- observatory on the front lawn of ing our knowledge of the his bungalow, from where he heavens at the time. And could view the sea in one although he blazed new trails direction and Fort Frederick in a short lifetime, the events in the other. His property was since his death show how several hundred feet above callously our nation treats its sea level, which gave him a scientific legacy. superb sea horizon for his Percy Molesworth was born observations. Moreover, being in British-ruled Ceylon on 2 located just 8.5 degrees north of April 1867. He was the youngest the Equator, he had a clear advan- son of Sir Guildford Lindsey tage over astronomers on higher Molesworth (1828-1925), the latitudes in Europe and North first General Manager of Ceylon America: he could see far more Railways, best remembered for Percy Braybrooke Molesworth of the southern skies. having driven the country’s first (1867-1908), from a portrait Molesworth exploited all these train engine on its maiden jour- published by Antoniadi in the advantages for astronomical ney from Colombo to Ambepussa BAA Mars Memoir for 1903. observations, and soon made a

SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Page 37 name as one of the finest of his kind in the East. At that time, a dedicated amateur, working alone and in his spare time, could still advance knowledge in cer- tain areas of astronomy. Recognition came when he was elected a Fellow of the presti- gious Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) in 1898. In the same year he joined a solar eclipse expedition to India. Molesworth often observed the Moon, and took some rare photos of the Great Comet of 1901, which was best seen from south- ern latitudes. But it was the plan- ets, especially Mars and Jupiter, that most engaged his interest. Richard McKim, writing in the BAA Journal in 1997, suggests that for the decade 1896-1905, Molesworth was ‘arguably the finest amateur planetary observer alive.’ In February 1901, he became the first observer in the world to notice the beginning of the great Sir Arthur Clarke outside (above) and inside (below) the dome of South Tropical Zone Disturbance the Molesworth observatory in the grounds of Colombo University. on Jupiter that was to last until Inside the dome Sir Arthur is holding a photograph of the martian 1939. This discovery was impor- crater Molesworth. Note the dilapidated state of both dome and tant in understanding Jovian telescope (both photographs are courtesy Rohan de Silva). atmospheric currents. Its con- junctions with the ‘Great Red Spot’ gave clues to the magnitude and directions of wind speeds on the largest planet in the Solar System well before unmanned spacecraft flew past in the 1970s and 1980s. Molesworth did not merely observe and draw; he also analysed what he saw. This task often required a large number of routine calculations which, in those pre-calculator days, had to be done entirely manually. One such set of calculations took him seven months of spare time, at the end of which he noted: ‘Had I

Page 38 SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 known the amount of labour they would entail, I should, I think, have hesitated before embarking on such a task.’ Molesworth’s 12.5- Driving himself hard was char- inch Calver reflector acteristic of the man, but it soon at its original loca- took its toll. In 1904, a sharp tion at Trincomalee attack of pleurisy and fever (reproduced courtesy forced him to return to England of the Royal for five months. E M Antoniadi, Astronomical the leading Mars observer of the Society). time, later wrote: ‘Overwork of this kind, in such a torrid climate as that of Ceylon, finally injured his health.’ Molesworth took early retire- ment in 1906, and bought an estate in Trincomalee to devote his time and energies to astro- nomical work. But it was not to be. According to the RAS obitu- ary, ‘on his return from a short visit to England, he succumbed to a severe attack of dysentery, and passed away on Christmas Day 1908.’ He was only forty one at the time. His friend Walter Maunder transferred his papers and notes to the care of the RAS, where they have been studied by gener- ations of scholars. In 1973, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) named one of the a little of the observatory now to Molesworth in what turned out largest craters on Mars in his remains, a part of the original to be his final science fiction honour. Crater Molesworth, foundation with a central rock novel, The Last Theorem, pub- located on the Red Planet’s slab which Molesworth may have lished posthumously in August southern hemisphere, is some used to attach his heavy pier can 2008. When the novel's protago- 175 kilometres across. still be seen.’ nist, Ranjit Subramanian, is In the land of his birth, mean- Herschel tracked down growing up in Trincomalee dur- while, Molesworth is remem- Molesworth’s tombstone in the ing the closing years of the twen- bered only by a handful of latter- Trincomalee cemetery with great tieth century, his father tells him day stargazers. One of them, the difficulty, but found no other stories about Molesworth. This late Herschel Gunawardena, went memorial. Writing in the BAA inspires the young man to study in search of Molesworth in 1971 Journal in 1977, Sir Arthur mathematics and astronomy, and found the house being used Clarke also lamented how there leading to some dramatic results as a tourist centre in Trincomalee. was no trace of Molesworth any- for himself and humanity... He later wrote in Equatorial, the where in Trincomalee. In the real world, however, the journal of the Ceylon Three decades later, Sir Arthur plight of the Molesworth obser- Astronomical Association: ‘Only was to include several references vatory illustrates a lack of inter-

SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Page 39 Above: A map showing the equatorial and temperate regions of Mars compiled by Molesworth from obser- vations that he made during the period 1900-01 (reproduced courtesy of the Royal Astronomical Society).

Left: Extracts from Molesworth’s strip maps showing the development of the Jovian South Tropical Disturbance from February to October 1901. Molesworth discovered this disturbance, which last- ed until 1939, the longest such event recorded. The diagram is taken from McKim (1997) where it is noted that it is reproduced from retouched photocopies of originals in Molesworth’s rough note- book, which were examined courtesy of the Royal Astronomical Society.

Below: Jupiter’s South Tropical Disturbance, observed by W.F. Denning on 15 April 1906. Detail of illustration from McKim (1997) from original image published in Splendour of the Heavens (Hutchinson, 1923).

Page 40 SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 est in preserving our cultural and young science journalist then man in his native town and land intellectual heritage, especially working for The Island newspa- of birth, but millions of miles that from the colonial periods. per, and later wrote a feature arti- away from home on that freezing Nobody is certain exactly what cle titled The Death of an surface, witnessing golden sun- happened to the observatory fol- Observatory (26 March 1988). I sets, he will remain safe from lowing Molesworth’s death. still remember being ridiculed by looters and vandals. According to some reports, the some for reviving the memory of ‘Well, at least until humans custom-made Calver telescope a long-dead man at a time when reach Mars…’ went into disuse; others say it hundreds of lives were being lost was stolen. It somehow turned up every week due to extra-judicial Sources and in Colombo years later, where it killings. Acknowledgements: was restored and used for a while The telescope never fully recov- It was Sir Arthur C. Clarke who at the Colombo Observatory ered from that looting, and the first told me, nearly a quarter of a attached to the Department of University administration has century ago, about a forgotten Meteorology. It was then given to shown little enthusiasm in pre- Ceylonese astronomer who has a the University College, later serving it. Occasionally, an ama- Martian crater named after him. University of Colombo, which teur astronomer or university Molesworth combined several housed it in a small dome on the academic would take a personal elements that also deeply inter- University grounds adjoining interest, but the institutional ested Sir Arthur: Ceylon, Reid Avenue. indifference continues. Trincomalee, astronomical obser- During the Second World War, Sometime in 2004, while vations and Mars. In the years the Royal Air Force used the researching material for The Last that followed, Sir Arthur allowed dome as the emplacement for an Theorem, Sir Arthur Clarke visit- me unrestricted access to his anti-aircraft gun that defended ed the University to take another library and archives, where I read the city against Japanese air look at the Molesworth telescope. more about Molesworth, princi- raids. When the War ended, the Ever the optimist, he noted after- pally from BAA and RAS jour- telescope was left with a broken wards: ‘The local amateur nals and newsletters. Sir Arthur diagonal and roughly-handled astronomers are working to circulated my 1988 newspaper mirror. It took many years for the repair it – and although Colombo coverage on the observatory loot- instrument to be repaired and is hardly a good observing site, I ing to both groups, who printed involved efforts by several aca- hope they can use it effectively. comments on the incident at the demics including Professors C.J. At least they can see more than time. I am very grateful for his Eliezer and A.W. Mailvaganam 90 per cent of the world’s sky – guidance and support. and a lecturer in mathematics everything except a small patch I had the privilege of knowing named V.K. Samaranayake. over the South Pole.’ the late Herschel Gunawardena, ‘We had to overcome a lot of In the months that followed, Sir who had co-founded the Ceylon difficulties,’ Samaranayake wrote Arthur sent more than one letter Astronomical Association with in 1970, ‘for by then most of the to the University’s Vice Arthur Clarke in 1959, and components were scattered Chancellor, drawing his attention served as its first Secretary and around the workshops or lost.’ to what is possibly the oldest later President. Herschel told me Once restored, the Molesworth piece of scientific equipment in details of his personal quest for telescope went through periods their inventory. They were not Molesworth, which he had chron- of use and disuse. In early 1988, even acknowledged. icled in an article he wrote in the while the country (by then Alas, little has changed since I Equatorial in 1971. Others who renamed Sri Lanka) was engulfed chronicled the observatory’s loot- gave me information or insights in a brutal southern insurgency, ing two decades ago. As a centu- into this story include the late Dr vandals looted the dome and ry passes since Molesworth’s V.K. Samaranayake, who played removed several parts purely for death, my concluding words in a part in restoring the telescope in their value as metal. that 1988 article still hold true: the 1960s, and Fr Dr Mervyn I covered that incident as a ‘Molesworth may be a forgotten Fernando, a keen amateur

SHA Bulletin Issue 18 June 2009 Page 41 astronomer who continues to pro- Further reading Astronomical Association, 3, no. mote the subject in the local lan- A somewhat shortened version of 1, July/December 1971. Sir guages through the Subodhi this article appeared in The Arthur Clarke wrote about Astronomy and Space Study Sunday Times, Sri Lanka on 21 Molesworth in J. Brit. Astron. Centre, http://subodhi.net/astron- December 2008. See: http:// Assoc, 1977, 87, p518. omy.htm www.sundaytimes.lk/081221/Plu My plans to visit Trincomalee s/sundaytimesplus_15.html. The RAS published an obituary to personally find out the current for Percy Molesworth in the status of the Molesworth bunga- There is also some subsequent Monthly Notices (1909, 69, low and tombstone did not mate- discussion that took place on my pp248-49). rialise this year due to pressure of blog at http://movingimages. work and other distractions. Now wordpress.com/2008/12/21/from In recent years two papers have that the long-drawn civil war in -trincomalee-to-mars-the-fasci- been published on Molesworth’s Sri Lanka’s North-East has final- n a t i n g - j o u r n e y - o f - p e r c work:y - b - one by Richard McKim on ly ended, I hope to go in search of molesworth/. his Jupiter work (J. Brit. Astron. Molesworth in the near future. Assoc, 1997, 107, pp239-45) and The Sri Lanka Astronomical the other by Richard Baum on his Trained as a science writer, Association has also published a observations of Venus (J. Brit. Nalaka Gunawardene has slightly longer version of the arti- Astron. Assoc, 2007, 117, pp9- worked for Sri Lankan and inter- cle at: http://aalk.lakdiva.net/ 21). national media, and was associ- pbmolesworth/trincotomars.pdf ated with Sir Arthur C. Clarke as The RAS obituary and the two a research assistant for over 20 Herschel Gunawardena’s find- recent J. Brit. Astron. Assoc. years. He blogs on media, society ings were reported in Equatorial, papers are available from the and development at http://moving the Journal of the Ceylon NASA ADS. images.wordpress.com/

The Later History of William Lassell’s Large Telescopes

Michael Lowne

OLLOWING the report in these would have occurred in the refused, possibly because the FNewsletter no. 17 (October time of service of their older col- order for the Great Melbourne 2008, pp 10-12) of the talk about leagues and immediate predeces- Telescope (also a 48-inch reflec- William Lassell by Gerard sors and no doubt were the sub- tor) may already have been Gilligan at the 2008 Joint ject of reminiscences. Some of placed: it was installed in 1868. Conference at Chetham’s the details are mentioned in the Lassell’s 48-inch was broken up Library, the later history of Astronomer Royal’s annual for scrap. In 1883, after Lassell’s Lassell’s large reflecting tele- reports. death in 1880, the 24-inch was scopes may be of interest. My After Lassell returned from donated to the Royal Observatory knowledge of the subject comes Malta in 1861 and settled at at Greenwich, by (says the from my 39 years (1950-89) at Maidenhead the 24-inch reflector Astronomer Royal’s Report to RGO and from conversations was remounted, but apparently the Board of Visitors) the ‘Misses with older members of staff. the 48-inch was not. It was Lassell’, presumably his daugh- None of them were old enough to offered to Melbourne ters or perhaps sisters. remember the actual events, but Observatory but the offer was The 24-inch was installed at

Page 42 SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Greenwich in a location to the up. One of the two speculum speculum the overall efficiency south-west of where the terracot- metal primary mirrors is now at was at best only about 50%. ta South Building now stands, Liverpool Museum where it has Lassell preferred to use a right- housed in a dome by T. Cooke been placed in a replica angle prism as a secondary; its and Sons of York. It does not telescope. transmission of 90% or better appear to have had much produc- Speculum metal mirrors tar- would have improved the tive use, and in 1892 the nished readily and required peri- throughput by about a quarter of telescope was removed and the odic repolishing, a procedure a stellar magnitude. mounting used to carry the 12¾- which also involved refiguring The Great Melbourne Telescope inch refractor by Merz of the mirror to the necessary accu- also had speculum metal mirrors, Munich. The Merz telescope was rate parabolical profile. This surprisingly as Leon Foucault originally on Airy’s ‘South East explains the need for two primary had described in 1858 his method Equatorial’ of 1860 but was dis- mirrors, one for use while the of chemically depositing a thin mounted in 1891 in readiness for other was being repolished. highly-reflective film of silver on the acquisition of the new 28- Speculum metal has a rather low glass. The glass substrate for inch refractor for the same reflectivity, between 60 and 70%, telescope mirrors is easier to mounting. and as the Newtonian work with than speculum The Merz telescope was used focus sec- metal and the silver coating for micrometric measures of dou- ondary mir- could readily be renewed ble stars but was moved again in rors were when necessary without the 1896 to become the guiding also of need for refiguring. Upon telescope of the new 26-inch the closure of Melbourne refractor carried at the top of the Observatory the telescope South Building. The Cooke dome was moved to Mount was reused for this telescope, Stromlo Observatory which together with a 30-inch where it was provided reflector on the same mounting with a new tube and was the gift of Sir Henry optics, but was Thompson, an eminent sur- destroyed in 2003 geon. when the The Lassell telescope Observatory suf- was now superseded by fered badly in a the 30-inch reflector bush fire. and, being without any housing or prospective use, was regret- tably broken

Lassell’s 48-inch equatorial reflector at Malta, 1861.

SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Page 43 Guided Missives

The Bulletin welcomes letters for publication which can be on any aspect of the SHA, including its activities, projects and organisation, and, more widely, any topic in the history of astronomy — Ed.

piece of very moderate where it would focus (beam Magnification power…’. That paragraph is pre- diameter down to zero). Thus the ceded by an explanatory one in focal length of the primary in Nasmyth’s which the author says, ‘Nasmyth would be nearly 38 feet., and the intended to manage the magnifi- focal ratio about f /7.6. Again by Projected 60- cation of his 5-foot telescope not measurement on the diagram, it by using interchangeable eye- is about 32 feet from the second- inch Reflector pieces of short focal length, but ary mirror to the (‘Nasmyth’) by adjusting the separations of focus, showing that the focal I have read with interest (no the primary and secondary mir- ratio of the Cassegrain combina- matter how belatedly) Kevin rors, which he referred to as tion is about f /64, giving an Kilburn’s fine article in The “metals”.’ equivalent focal length of 320 Antiquarian Astronomer (2005, I believe that there has been a feet. I see Nasmyth’s point about 2, pp47-50), concerning misunderstanding over those much of the magnification being Nasmyth’s proposed 60-inch matters. The light path is shown done by the mirrors and not by telescope. The article refers to in Nasmyth’s own diagram that the eyepiece as a comment on the telescope tube being 35 feet is reproduced in the article on the advantage of the change of f long and the focal length to be page 49, and distances can be number, which we see is a factor approaching 70 feet. There is determined by reference to the between eight and nine. That also a paragraph giving a direct length of the telescope tube means that, to obtain a given quotation from Nasmyth on page which is specified as 35 feet and magnification, he would need to 49, saying in part how ‘the serves as a scale. It is 34 feet employ an eyepiece of relatively greater part of the duty of mag- from the primary mirror to the moderate power in comparison nifying power is accomplished convex Cassegrain secondary, with what would be necessary to by the metals themselves and not where the beam diameter is give the same power at the by the eyepiece which in my shown as six inches, so the light prime focus. To give a concrete 9 case admits of the use of an eye- is at that point /10 of the way to example, an eyepiece of 2-inch

Page 44 SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 focal length at the Nasmyth focus would give a power approaching 2000 diameters, An Unidentified Astronomer? whereas to obtain the same mag- nification at the prime focus I wonder if any of your readers could help identify the man would need a 6-mm eyepiece (possibly an astronomer) in this photograph (below)? It was which would have nothing like recently found in the collection of the Institute of Astronomy in the same eye relief or comfort in Cambridge. The photograph is of an unknown man sitting with use. a book. The photograph is in an envelope embossed with The longitudinal magnification ‘Truslove & Hanson Ltd. 6B Sloan Street S.W.’, although this is the square of the lateral mag- need not be considered relevant (the envelope may well have nification, i.e. about ×70. Thus been reused). The photograph is sized 125×100 mm and sadly the longitudinal position of the has no inscription on the reverse! The image can be found at the focus would change by 70 inch- following URL: http://www.dspace.cam.ac.uk/han- es for a 1-inch longitudinal dle/1810/218651. Any help in identification, would be very motion of the Cassegrain sec- much appreciated. ondary. With the eyepiece in a fixed position, there would be no Mark Hurn, hope whatever of changing the Departmental Librarian, Institute of Astronomy magnification by altering the separation of the mirrors – all that could be accomplished by that means would be to throw the image wildly out of focus! The 36-inch coudé reflector at Cambridge, which I use every (fine) night, is basically a Cassegrain system, and since the eyepiece is more or less fixed the focussing is done by longitu- dinal motion of the Cassegrain secondary; it is very sensitive, and the actual travel of the sec- ondary in the focussing opera- tion is infinitesimal. I feel sure that Nasmyth was not intending to imply that he could vary the magnification of his telescope, but that he would obtain a (fixed but important) factor of it This photograph of an unidentified man was recently found in through the increase in focal the collection of the Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge. Any length provided by the help in identifying him would be much appreciated Cassegrain arrangement. At the (IoA catalogue reference: PE/46). 36-inch coudé I have a power of about 360 that serves for guiding Sheepshanks 12-inch coudé take my spectacles off (let alone as well as finding, but I do not refractor when it was scrapped jam my eye up against it) to see need to screw my eye into a 50 years ago this summer) with the view. high-power eyepiece to obtain it a 4-inch field lens and at least as – I have a splendid great eye- long a focal length, with plenty Roger Griffin, piece (which I salvaged from the of eye relief so I have no need to Cambridge Observatories.

SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Page 45 Aurora Polaris Project Film

Confirmation of the identifica- tion of Copernicus’ remains and his facial reconstruction were described in Bulletin no. 18 (June 2009, p5; see also p7 of the present issue). A group from Greece, Poland, Slovakia and the United Kingdom were fortunate to visit Frombork during May 2009 as part of the Aurora Polaris project see (http://sun. planetarium.olsztyn.pl/). The trip proved a fascinating insight into this period of astronomical histo- ry. ‘The Share Initiative’ is cur- rently producing a film to include details of one astronomer from each country participating in this Grundtvig learning partnership. They include: Julius Schmidt (Athens), Nicholas Copernicus (Olsztyn/Frombork), Milan Rastislav Stefanik (Slovakia) and T.W. Webb (UK). This film will be available to SHA mem- bers in Spring 2010. The cover of Worlds of If Science Fiction magazine for June 1956, Paul Haley, featuring an article discussing Project Vanguard. The US plans to Director, The Share Initiative, launch an artificial satellite during the International Geophysical Clehonger, Hereford Year were widely discussed before Sputnik 1 (see opposite). Information Requested

The Bulletin is always pleased to receive letters and articles for publication. The contact details are given on the back page. We would be particularly interested in information about the following: details of clocks keeping local time (see Newsletter 17, October 2008, p34), information on the whereabouts of any of Scriven Bolton’s space art (see Bulletin 18, June 2009, pp30-32), contributions for the Observatory Scrapbook series (see p57) and follow-up letters with addi tional details of previous entries.

Page 46 SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 sequent days). It ence to the quotation attributed Bunk and Bilge was also reported on to Spencer Jones dating from the page 34 of the very first time it was allegedly made. Nor It is pure mischief to adduce one issue, in 1956, of Spaceflight, is it mentioned in his obitu- source after another, attributing published by the British ary (Q. J. R. Astron. to Spencer Jones a remark made Interplanetary Society, of which Soc, 1963, 4, by Woolley, when all that those I was a member at the time. I ‘sources’ are doing is copying hereby chal- one another’s misstatement that lenge Stuart Williams, Roger started (already long after the Jones, the Editor of this event) with somebody’s faulty Newsletter or indeed anyone else Sptunik 1, memory. They have forgotten (or to produce an analogous ‘real- launched in probably in most cases have time’ report of Spencer Jones 1957. never known) who actually saying anything of the sort. made the remark in the first When nobody has been able to pp113-25) place. do that after being allowed a rea- or his entry I tell you that it was Sir sonable time, I invite the Editor in Thomas Richard Woolley, who never suf- to publish the (inevitable and Hockey’s fered fools gladly, and who, correct) conclusion that the Biographical when besieged by reporters attributions of the Encyclopaedia of when he had just arrived after a remark to Spencer Astronomers (2007). In the wearing flight from Australia to Jones, however numerous, must absence of such evidence the take up his new position as be mistaken. quotation must be considered to Astronomer Royal, was asked most likely be a misattribution what he thought of the possibili- Roger Griffin, and hence unfounded. ty of space travel and he replied Cambridge Observatories. Actually, it is possible to con- that he thought it was ‘utter jecture a plausible case that bilge’. You can read the report of [I have discussed Dr Griffin’s Spencer Jones is unlikely to have it, written at the time it hap- comments with Stuart Williams said what is attributed to him. pened, in the on-line archive of and Roger Jones. We have made Part of the mythology of the The Times for 1956 January 3 further on-line searches, but remark (repeated in several on- (and comments about it on sub- have been unable to find a refer- line versions) is that it was made just a fortnight before Sputnik 1. However, the United States had announced in 1955 that it was going to orbit an artificial satel- lite during the International Geophysical Year (as, indeed, it eventually did) and these plans were the subject of considerable public interest and discussion (see, for example, W.P. McCray, Keep Watching the Skies, 2008, Princeton Univ. Press, p63). Moreover, Spencer Jones was on the ICSU (International Council of Scientific Unions) Special Sir Harold Spencer Jones (1890- Sir Richard van der Riet Woolley Committee for the IGY, so it 1960), Tenth Astronomer Royal (1906-1986), Eleventh seems unlikely he was unaware (1933-1955). Astronomer Royal (1956-1971). of the American plans – Ed.]

SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Page 47 Book Reviews

Dunn, Richard, The Telescope: global domination in the eigh- world and the importance of tele- A Short History. Hardback, teenth and nineteenth centuries, scopes therein, and told not with- National Maritime Museum, and the use of telescopes and out humour, especially in some of London, 2009, ISBN 978-1- binoculars in modern life, to the illustrations which give us a 906367-04-6, £12.99, pp192. name just a few. further insight into the reactions As one would expect there are of people at the time. It is very references to many great well written, well-produced and astronomers and descriptions of with numerous illustrations, not many important astronomical all of predictable subjects, but instruments, but we are also which all add to this compelling reminded of the many other uses piece of history. to which the simple telescope and There is ample reference to its derivatives have been put, and other sources for those who wish the way this has been viewed by to study further aspects of people at the time. There are telescope history and use, but this numerous fascinating tales of is the story of the telescope in a aspects of the subject that do not wonderfully readable form, diffi- necessarily come to mind when cult to put down and one which thinking about the instrument, this reviewer and, I believe, but which contribute to a remark- many other readers, will wish to ably widespread and complete return to over and over again. It is Richard Dunn’s book is not a review. a unique treatment of the subject technical monograph on the con- Given its relatively small for- and highly recommended. struction of telescopes; neither is mat, Richard Dunn manages to Gilbert Satterthwaite it an academic treatise detailing include in this book an their design, development and amazingly extensive use during their 400-year history. collection of references It is as its title suggests a short to great telescopes, to history, but one which, uniquely, telescopes often far relates that history to the ever- from great but which changing worlds of astronomy, have historical signifi- and of other aspects of science cance, to telescope and philosophy, and also intro- manufacturers and duces the reader to some of the telescope users remarkable personalities encoun- throughout the four tered on the way. centuries. These refer- The scope of the book is clear ences are factually from its chapter headings, from accurate and obviously ‘Before the telescope’ to ‘Modern based upon extensive astronomical telescopes’. The archival research, and story is of course told chronolog- given with sufficient ically, but very well organised information to indicate into sections recounting impor- their relevance to the overall A Japanese lady and her daugh- tant aspects, such as for instance story – but that is the real strength ter use a telescope to watch sail- the development of reflectors and of the book, it is a story. A story ing ships. From an early nine- achromatic refractors, the use of superbly told, which paints a teenth century Japanese print telescopes in the struggle for wonderful picture of a changing (courtesy Wikimedia Commons).

Page 48 SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Holmes, Richard, The Age of siderable essay, but I will try to scientific community much as Sir Wonder: How the Romantic pick out some of the main fea- Joseph Banks had done over the Generation Discovered the tures. The book starts with Sir natural philosophers of his day. Beauty and Terror of Science. Joseph Banks (1743-1820), who In the Epilogue, Holmes makes Paperback, Harper Press, dominated the English scientific a point that I think many mem- London, 2009, ISBN 978-0-00- scene of his day. His major con- bers of the SHA will agree with, 714953-7, £9.99, pp380. tribution was his expedition to that the history of science has a Tahiti with James Cook, but he role in breaking down barriers went on to become President of between science and other disci- the Royal Society. There follows plines and avoiding the ‘two cul- a fascinating section on the pio- tures’ scenario. neering adventures of ballooning. In conclusion, this book is a The main section of astronomi- good easy read, is informative, cal interest is on the Herschels. and encourages the reader to go There is quite a lot of information off and read, or reread many about William and Caroline other books. My only complaint Herschel, which if covered by is that the book would flow with other writers elsewhere, is still more ease without the massive here entertainingly presented. numbers of endnotes, many of William Herschel’s concept of which are just repeat bibliograph- ‘deep-space’ in astronomy is ic references. compared to that of Charles Mark Hurn Lyell’s ‘deep-time’ in geology. A chapter deals with the sad Murdin, Paul, Full Meridian of story of Mungo Park (1771- Glory. Perilous Adventures in Reading this book is like attend- 1806) the young Scottish explor- the Competition to Measure the ing a seminar in the comfortable, er who was killed on his journey Earth. Hardback, Springer, book-lined study of a learned and of discovery in Africa. We learn New York, 2009, ISBN 978-0- friendly old professor. The much about Sir Humphry Davy 387-75534-2, £15.99, pp187. shelves are laden with choice (1778-1829) who was far more tomes and his hand travels unerr- than the inventor of the miners’ ingly to the most appropriate safety lamp for which he is most- quotations. Great names from the ly remembered. His early experi- past, become living, breathing ments with gases led to many people in his descriptions. It is chemical discoveries. He was not without generalisations, but it also important for his develop- steers clear of the ideology which ment of scientific method. can make much history-of-sci- Lurching through the book ence writing unreadable. Such comes the monster of clearness of language we might Frankenstein (1818) by Mary expect from Richard Holmes, Shelley. Frankenstein shows how whose previous works have the wonder of science can easily included a major study of the turn to horror. This two-edged poet Coleridge. This mixture of sword of progress still remains literary background (there are with us still today. numerous quotes from poetic If Sir Joseph Banks dominates works) with history of science is the first part of this book, the end the books’ principal attraction. part is dominated by Sir John As one who has been interested To attempt to summarise this Herschel (1792-1871), who in meridian measurement for book, would itself lead to a con- presided and networked in the many years I purchased this book

SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Page 49 with great expectations. By the Thus it can be seen that there time I reached the end I felt a lit- are a range of parts to this whole tle let down. exercise, each of which required Measuring meridians has occu- specialist equipment and tech- pied many astronomers and oth- niques. For the angles of the tri- ers from the time of Eratosthenes angle Picard used a quadrant of circa 240 BC to the mid-twentieth 38 inches radius. Now consider- century. After this, techniques ing that the points between which changed with the introduction of the angles were to be observed electronics. Whilst knowledge of could lie at any elevation it was the figure of the Earth is still very the inclined angles that were much required more accurate measured by a quadrant not the results than the use of meridian direct horizontal ones as would arc measurements can be now be obtained by using a obtained through the use of satel- theodolite. Whether or not Picard lite technology. reduced his readings to the hori- Meridian (or any arc) measure- zontal equivalents is not clear but ment required extensive very certainly his successors in arc accurate observations, tedious Jean Picard (1620-82). measurement did and it was a computations and was extremely very tedious exercise. This does time consuming. It needed a good urements would give the linear not come out in the text of knowledge of mathematics, not equivalent between the same two Murdin. (pp22-23). solely of plane triangles but points. Although it was not essen- At the top of p26 the average spherical ones, since the lines tial for the line of triangles to be length of a degree of latitude is involved were so long that the exactly north-south Jean Picard introduced but this has little point angles of the triangle on the (1620-82) did set out to achieve since it is the difference between earth’s surface could no longer be that with his scheme in 1668-70. successive degree lengths that is considered to total 360°. By the time of the Cassinis in the of interest. Then on p30 we have The Meridian around which this seventeenth and eighteenth cen- a curious mixture of leagues and book revolves is that through turies, however, it was possible to kilometres at a time before the Paris although the techniques and apply adjustments if the two ter- kilometre had been introduced. instrumentation were similar to minals were not of the same lon- So to say that the coast had been that used on other such arcs. The gitude. located accurately to 1 kilometre essence of a meridian measure- In addition scale had to be intro- is an impossibility. But to then ment was to set out a chain of tri- duced to the chain of triangles relate that to the change in area of angles between prominent points and this was usually achieved by the size of France in square such that each triangle was as measuring two lines, one near leagues is about as confusing as it large as possible (even tens of each end of the chain, as accu- could be. miles long), and the terminals of rately as possible. There is a On p36 when referring to the each successive triangle should comment, p17, that Picard went map of France there is reference be mutually inter-visible and to great lengths to orient the base- to ‘Robb 2007’ but that does not arranged such that they joined a line N-S. This would have been appear in the list of references. notable terminal at each end of quite unnecessary since it could On p59 the author is describing the chain. At this point astronom- have been at any orientation. In the expedition to Lapland by ical observations would be taken fact from Picard’s quoted angles Maupertuis and refers to taking for position. In particular the dif- it would appear that his southern the astronomical observations for ference in latitude between the baseline was actually some 2.5° latitude by a zenith sector of 90º two terminal points gave the from north but the sparsity of angle. The actual sector used by angular distance between them available details makes it difficult Maupertuis was of 9 feet radius whereas the triangulation meas- to verify. with a telescope of similar length

Page 50 SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 and with an arc (limb) of 5.5° not prolate or an oblate spheroid, is suggested that that was notice- 90°. In 1986 this same instrument there are two unknowns – the ably overdone. was on display at a Maupertuis semi-major and semi-minor radii. The potted biographies of all exhibition in Uppsala. Hence with two unknown quanti- the main characters are very use- On p64 line 9 it says that ‘… the ties two equations are required to ful but by scattering them astronomical measurements had determine the values. This was throughout the text they are per- not been re-calibrated at their fin- actually achieved by combining haps more of a distraction than ish.’ As you cannot calibrate a the results from Peru with those they would have been if all measurement does this mean that from France. Trying to determine together as an appendix. the instruments had not been re- both unknowns from the data of Overall, this is a well produced calibrated or is it more subtle? one arc would be asking for trou- book, easy to read and full of On p63 it is recorded that the ble where the lengths of succes- good factual material but spoilt Arctic arc (that is, that of sive degree measures would by slips of the sort described. In Maupertuis) gave a value for 1° change by only about 15 metres particular the random mixture of that would appear to be 1000 per degree. The whole idea of units presumably panders to the toises more than Cassini’s. Then going to Peru and Lapland was to modern taste for metric values on 64 it is said to be 500 metres have two results as widely sepa- but relates to times long before longer. These figures would rated as possible. such a unit was known. By all appear to be referring to the same On p141 is reference to the grad means use 10 toises (= 19.5 quantity; in which case the arith- as a unit of measurement. metres) but not as shown here. metic is incorrect since 1000 tois- Contrary to the comment there, it The illustrations are excellent es is around 2000 metres. In this was a widely used unit in Europe and include many that are not context why is it necessary to and the majority of theodolites often seen. write (p65) ‘… that the arc meas- manufactured for the non-British There is material here to interest ured by Svanberg was 57196 market, for example, were so both the surveyor and the toises long.…’, 400 metres short- graduated. astronomer although not those er than Maupertuis? This is high- Various typing errors were who are in any way researching ly confusing to the reader and, noticed but in particular this into this topic area and who one would tend to suggest, reviewer would take exception to would require more depth. The unnecessary. Why could the spelling ‘meter’ when it was discussion of the trials and tribu- Maupertuis not be quoted as 200 invented as the ‘metre’. ‘Meter’ lations of carrying out such a task toises shorter? After all, he cer- to me is a box on the wall telling whether it be in France, Lapland tainly did not measure in metres. me how much electricity I have or Peru paints a fascinating pic- Similarly on p69 the base was used. ture of the multitude of hardships measured as ‘6300 toises … and Considering the mathematical endured. As an astronomer him- differed by only 8 centime- nature of the measurement of the self the author may well have tres…’. Then referring back to Earth it is rather surprising that gone deep enough for that profes- p75 it is shown that the difference there are no diagrams illustrating sion but not for the surveyor. The between Maupertuis and Cassini what a chain of triangulation is, surveyor thrives on numbers, for 1° was actually 341 toises (= (that shown on the map of small errors, spherical triangles 664 metres). France, Figure 14, can hardly be and the like and would no doubt In the long discussion of the said to show the triangles suffi- echo the sentiment that the con- determination of the metre from ciently well), or more examples tents only scrape the surface as the measurements in France the of the numbers relating to eccen- far as he is concerned. single sentence comment at the tricity, length of 1°, astronomical Certainly at such a very reason- bottom of p107 is the only men- results, base measurement and of able price it can be recommended tion of use of the arc in Peru. calculations. Maybe it was an to members of the SHA who may When trying to determine the fig- attempt to make it a popular work wish to put it on their Christmas ure of the Earth, which at that as devoid as possible of numbers present list. time was thought to be either a or formulae. If that was so, then it Jim Smith

SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Page 51 Brück, M, Women in Early ISBN 978-0883783122, £21.50. British and Irish Astronomy, Springer, 2009, hardcover, 200 Fison, A.H, Recent Advances in pages, ISBN 978-9048124725, Astronomy, BiblioBazaar, 2009, £90. [Modern reprint], paperback, 252 pages, ISBN 978- Mörzer Bruyns, W.F.J, and 111352062, £17.99. Dunn, R, Sextants at Greenwich: A Catalogue of the Fugate, R.Q. and Duffner, R.W, Mariner’s Quadrants, Mariner’s The Adaptive Optics Revolution: Books noticed Astrolabes, Cross-staffs, A History. Univ. of New Mexico Backstaffs, Octants, Sextants, Press, 2009, hardcover, 485 Madeline Cox Quintants, Reflecting Circles pages, ISBN 978-0826346919, and Artificial Horizons in the £38.50. National Maritime Museum, Modern Reprints Greenwich, Oxford Univ. Press, Gill, J and Merrifield, W.V, Two publishers have come to my 2009, hardcover, 336 pages, Text-Book on Navigation and attention recently who specialise ISBN 978-0199532544, £120. Nautical Astronomy, in reprinting old texts, which BiblioBazaar, 2009, [Modern include some of the items listed Bryant, W.W, A History of reprint], paperback, 448 pages, below. They are BiblioBazaar at Astronomy, publisher ISBN 978-1110790234, £18.99. http://www.bibliobazaar.com and unknown, 2009 [Modern Forgotten Books at reprint; original 1907], paper- Grant, E, Planets, Stars and http://www.forgottenbooks.com. back, 236 pages, ISBN 978- Orbs: The Medieval Cosmos They are worth checking out if 1459008960, £18.80. 1200-1687, 2 volume set, you are interested in old astrono- Cambridge Univ. Press, 2009, my texts. Chabas, J. and Goldstein, B.R, paperback, 2009, ISBN 978- The Astronomical Tables of 0521138680, £40.00. New Books Giovanni Bianchini, Brill This column lists some recently Academic Publishers, 2009, published books which might be hardcover, 150 pages, ISBN of interest. Listing here does not 978-9004176157, £70. preclude a review at a later date, nor does it necessarily mean Cokinos, C, The Fallen Sky: An endorsement. Please note prices Intimate History of Shooting may vary according to suppliers. Stars, Jeremy P. Tarcher, 2009, paperback, 528 pages, ISBN Berryman, S, The Mechanical 978-1585427209, £18.00. Hypothesis in Ancient Greek Natural Philosophy, Cambridge Doel, R.E, Solar System University Press, 2009, hard- Astronomy in America, cover, 296 pages, ISBN 978- Cambridge Univ. Press, 2009, 0521763769, £50. paperback, 316 pages, ISBN 978-0521115681, £22.99. Brandl, B.R, Stuik, R, Katgert- Merkelijn, J.K. (eds), 400 Years Dwight, E, Soaring On the of Astronomical Telescopes, Wings of a Dream: The Untold Springer, 2009, hardcover, 516 Story of America’s First Black Herschel, Sir John F.W. pages, ISBN 978-9048122325, Astronaut, Third World Press, Outlines of Astronomy, £99. 2009, paperback, 450 pages, Forgotten Books, 2009 (Classic

Page 52 SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Reprints), paperback, 782 Astronomy, Cambridge Univ. pages, ISBN 978-1440040245, Press, 2009, hardcover, 574 Also Noticed £10.54. pages, ISBN 978-0521765244, £85.00. Clive Davenhall Hinks, A.R, Astronomy, Forgotten Books, 2009, (Classic Listing here constitutes neither a Reprints), paperback, 258 review nor a recommendation, pages, ISBN-978-1440038983, nor does it preclude future £7.58. review. Information is given in good faith but cannot be guaran- Hutchinson, M, Exact teed. Astronomy: A Dynamical Solution of the Fundamental Early Photography Brought Problems of Mathematical to Light Astronomy, Bibliobazaar, 2009, [Modern reprint], paperback, Keller, Corey (ed), Brought to 30 pages, ISBN 978-113267528, Light. Hardback, San £15.99. Francisco Museum of Modern MacPherson, H, A Century’s Art and Yale Univ. Press, New Progress in Astronomy, Books Vaquero, J.M. and Vázquez, M, Haven and London, 2008, LLC, 2009, [Modern reprint], The Sun Recorded. Springer ISBN: 9780300142105, paperback, 138 pages, ISBN (Astrophysics and Space $(US)50.00, pp215, 207 illustra- 978-1443259712, £13.40. Science Library), 2009, hard- tions. cover, 382 pages, ISBN 978- Melady, J. and Champ, H, 0387927893, £121.50. Brought to Light is the catalogue Canadians in Space: The of an exhibition of the same name Forever Frontier, Dundurn, Whewell, W, Astronomy and on the subject of early scientific 2009, paperback, 256 pages, General Physics Considered photography in the period 1840- ISBN 978-155029401, £15.99. with Reference to Natural 1900. The exhibition ran at the Theology, Cambridge Univ. San Francisco Museum of Newcomb, S, Astronomy: A Press (Cambridge Library Modern Art from January to Study, Forgotten Books, 2009, Collection – Religion), 2009, October 2008 and then trans- (Classic Reprints), paperback, paperback, 404 pages, ISBN ferred to the Albertina in Vienna. 396 pages, ISBN 978- 978-110800123, £20.99. Both exhibition and catalogue are 1440038990, £8.96. divided into a number of themat- ic sections: microscopes, tele- Rinaldi, G, Will Hay, scopes, motion studies, electrici- Tomahawk Press, 2009, paper- ty and magnetism, X-rays and back, 448 pages, ISBN 978- finally spirit photography. The 0955767012, £17.99 (contains a astronomical section is most chapter on Will Hay’s astro- immediately of interest and nomical work). includes a selection of arresting Stebbing, F.C, Navigation and early photographs of the Moon, Nautical Astronomy, Sun, eclipses, planets, star fields Bibliobazaar, 2009, [Modern and nebulae. However, the non- reprint], paperback, 354 pages, astronomical sections contain ISBN 978-1110790098, £18.99. many unfamiliar images that are also likely to be of interest. The Sullivan, W.T, Cosmic Noise: inclusion of a section on spirit The History of Early Radio photography seems odd now, but

SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Page 53 in the nineteenth century the sub- material is likely to be of interest 2009, ISBN 978-0199204519, ject was approached scientifical- to anyone concerned with ancient £14.99, pp368. ly, at least in some quarters. astronomy. The catalogue is a sumptuously Grimoires could have been produced hardback of some 215 Books about Books included in either of the two sec- pages. It is full of striking tions above. It is a comprehen- images, excellently reproduced, Eliot, Simon and Rose, sive history of books of magic, many of which would be other- Jonathan (eds), A Companion to the grimoires of the title, from wise difficult to obtain. There are the History of the Book. Ancient Egypt to the present day. four introductory essays and each Paperback, Wiley-Blackwell, It is not specifically astronomi- section also has its own shorter Chichester, 2009, ISBN 978- cal, but there is much which is essay. That for the astronomical 1405192781, £24.99, pp616. likely to be interest as the history section is by Marie-Sophie Corcy of astronomy, at least before the of the Musée des Arts et Métiers, Pearson, David, Books as Scientific Revolution, was Paris. This excellent volume History: The Importance of entwined with magic and ‘hidden deserves to be more widely Books Beyond Their Text. knowledge’, not least through known. (A version of this note Hardback, British Library astronomy’s irrational sibling, has previously appeared in Publishing, London, 2008, astrology. SCAN-IT, no. 5, July 2009, p27.) ISBN 978-0712349239, £25.00, An on-line review by Mark pp208. Williams is available at: http://www.saltpublishing.com/h Fringe History Books about books must be like orizon/issues/02/text/williams_m ark.htm Kehoe, Alice B, Controversies in omnibuses: there are none for Archaeology. Paperback, Left ages and then two (at least)) Coast Press, Walnut Creek, come along at once. A The History of the Book in California, 2008, ISBN 978- Companion to the History of the the West 1598740622, $(US)29.95, Book is what its title suggests: a If the above volumes do not con- pp255. comprehensive treatment of the history of book from Ancient tain enough detail on the history of the book to satisfy you then Fritze, Ronald H, Invented Sumeria through Classical you may be interested that Knowledge: False History, Fake Antiquity, the European and Ashgate Publishing of Farnham, Science and Pseudo-Religions. Arabic Middle Ages, the Surrey is offering the five-vol- Hardback, Reaktion Books, Renaissance and the invention of ume The History of the Book in London, 2009, ISBN 978- printing down to modern times, the West: A Library of Critical 1861894304, £19.95, pp272. with forays further afield to the Far East and the New World. Essays. The series editor is Alexis Weedon and the details of History, and particularly ancient Books as History adopts a differ- the individual volumes are: history and archaeology, are ent and novel approach, consider- prone to pseudoscientific fringe ing books as artefacts, designed Volume 1: AD 400-1455, edited theories, some alas with astro- artistic objects of interest in by Jane Roberts, nomical aspects. These two themselves and in addition to the text that they contain. It is sump- Volume 2: 1455-1700, edited by books discuss and debunk vari- Ian Gadd, tuously illustrated in colour. ous such ideas: Atlantis and other Volume 3: 1700-1800, edited by lost continents, pyramid power, Eleanor Shevlin, ancient super-civilisations, Grimoires Volume 4: 1800-1914, edited by ancient astronauts and precisely- Stephen Colclough and Alexis aligned prehistoric monuments. Davies, Owen, Grimoires: A Weedon, Neither book is specifically History of Magic Books. Volume 5: 1914-2000, edited by astronomical, but some of the Hardback, Oxford Univ. Press, Alexis Weedon.

Page 54 SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 This series is not, I suspect, for occurred over the West: that the faint-hearted and also the Tunguska Russian or other requires a deep pocket. Each vol- region of scientists have ume costs £130 or the whole Siberia. It is d e f i n i t i v e l y series can be purchased for £585 usually consid- solved the (a saving of £65). Further details ered to be the ‘Tunguska riddle’ are available on Ashgate’s Web result of an or, conversely, site: http://www.ashgate.com/ impact by an that there has asteroid or sim- been little Tunguska Revisited ilar body. progress in under- Rubtsov’s book standing it. Some Rubtsov, Vladimir, The presents the of the findings of Tunguska Mystery. Hardback, results of Russian and Springer (Astronomers’ investigations Ukrainian scien- Universe series), New York, into this event tists presented are 2009, ISBN 978-0387765730, made in both certainly uncon- £26.99, pp318. the former USSR and present- ventional, but the characteristics day CIS. Specifically, it seeks to of the event require some such In 1908 an aerial explosion refute two myths still prevalent in unusual explanations.

indexing with the fiche and resources. The Survey of microfilm. Today, scanning and I also hold a card for OCR (Optical Character Birmingham Central Library and Astronomical Recognition) have taken the their online facility allows me searching of old documents to a access to CREDO reference History new level. material. If for example I wanted To date millions of newspaper to refer to a dictionary of astron- Online Newspapers and pages have been scanned and omy, I can enter a search query Journals uploaded, and every month thou- and up comes the relevant pages. sands more become available Not only that, but there are links Roger Jones online. The best example is to other publications available on undoubtedly The Times whose the library shelves relating to the S I write this article, scan- archive stretches back to 1785. search query. ‘Huygens’ as a Aners around the country are Most UK public libraries have query brings 139 results includ- busy copying the pages of old this available to card holders on ing biographies, images and other newspapers and journals so that their library computers, but in text references, many in places they can be indexed and recent months many have made where one might not have uploaded to the Web. These the service available for free thought to look. scanned pages can then be home use. Check out your local A few months ago the British accessed by researchers every- library today and see whether Library embarked on a trial proj- where including individuals from they allow home access. In ect to allow online research of their home computers. Previously Walsall where I live I can access many more local newspaper and only available in libraries and The Times archives and many journal archives from 1800-1900. academic establishments, these other newspapers and journals Millions of articles from forty Web pages are now replacing the from home just by logging on and nine London, national and fiches and microfilms that have entering my library card number. regional newspaper titles are been the norm for many decades. In addition I can access the available, with thousands of asso- Browsing page after page was a Oxford DNB, Encyclopaedia ciated illustrations, maps, tables tiresome job as there was no Britannica and many other useful and photographs. Over two mil-

SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Page 55 Above: A screen-shot showing some of the results of a search of the British Library’s Nineteenth Century British Newspapers Web site. lion pages, all fully text search- ‘telescope’ or ‘astronomy’… ‘Elementary Astronomy’ given able with keywords in context by T. Sebastian Bazley. visible in the results list, are Mr George Creaser, telescope included. The trial period has manufacturer, of Meltham near A search of all forty nine publica- now concluded and home access Huddersfield gave a lecture to tions for the word ‘astronomer’ to the papers is by pay per view, Staveley Mechanic’s Institute on produces a list of 13545 articles. although there is some free con- ‘the Science of Astronomy’. This Here are a few of the titles listed tent, namely the entire issues of article is from The Derby on the British Library Web site: The Graphic and The Penny Mercury, 23 November 1853. Aberdeen Journal, Ipswich Illustrated. You can buy a 24- Who was George Creaser? He Journal, Leeds Mercury, hour or a 7-day pass that allows was elected a Fellow of the RAS Manchester Times, Pall Mall access to 100 or 200 articles over in 1875, and a brief obituary Gazette, Western Mail, Bristol those periods. Fortunately my appears in the Monthly Notices Mercury, Hampshire/Portsmouth Birmingham Library card gives (February 1880, 40, p191). Is Telegraph, Hull Packet, me free home access to the entire anything else known? Jackson’s Oxford Journal, archive. Liverpool Mercury, North Wales The British Library Web site is Jackson’s Oxford Journal Chronicle, Newcastle Courant, http://newspapers.bl.uk/blcs/. (Oxford, England), Saturday, 9 Preston Chronicle, Southern Here are two examples of what December 1876, issue 6454, Star, Reynolds’s Newspaper and you might find in searching for describes a lecture on many more.

Page 56 SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 For members with deep pockets being added this year. The cur- library now and see if you can get the US-based Newspaper Archive rent collections are, of course, more from your ticket than just Web site (http://www.newspaper- only the start. Within the next borrowing books. And if your archive.com/) gives unlimited few years we can expect to see local authority is still living in the access to millions of scanned almost all surviving copies of old Dark Ages and denying you news pages from around the newspapers scanned and avail- access to these resources, remind world for around £75 pa able with the simple click of a them that this is the Twenty First ($9.99pm). 25 million pages are mouse. So check your local Century and demand action.

Observatory Scrapbook

The Woodman Library and the Washburn Observatory

Clive Davenhall

N the spirit of the ‘books and Isky’ theme of this issue the charming photograph at right shows the Woodman Astronomical Library in its origi- nal location at the Washburn Observatory, circa 1883. The Observatory, on the campus of A globe and a collection of portable astronomical instruments in the the University of Wisconsin- Woodman Astronomical Library, circa 1883. The Library is in its Madison, was founded following original location in the Director’s office at the Washburn a donation by Cadwallader C. Observatory (courtesy of the University of Wisconsin Archives; Wasburn (1818-82), then the Album 1.61). Governor of Wisconsin. The main dome houses a 15.6-inch pioneering work on photoelectric Following a period when it was refractor by Alvan Clark, which photometry there. In 1958, closed for renovation, the build- at the time it was installed was because of creeping urbanisation ing reopened earlier this year. Its the third-largest telescope in the and deteriorating observing con- offices now house the College of US. The Woodman Library at the ditions, a new observatory was Letters and Science Honors Observatory dates from 1883 fol- established at a dark-sky site at Program and undergraduate and lowing a further donation by Pine Bluff, some fifteen miles public observing has resumed. Cyrus Woodman (1814-89), a from Madison. A year later the friend and business partner of Astronomy Department, and with Further reading Washburn’s. it the Library, moved to office The Observatory remained an accommodation elsewhere on the There is a Wikipedia entry for the important research institution for Wisconsin-Madison campus. Washburn Observatory at: the first half of the twentieth cen- However, the Observatory http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Was tury. For example, Joel Stebbins remained in use for undergradu- hburn_Observatory (1878-1966) was Director of the ate teaching and public observ- Observatory 1922-48 and did his ing. Bob Bless wrote a history of the

SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Page 57 Observatory on the occasion of its centenary in 1978: http://www.astro.wisc.edu/~var da/Long_Wash_Obs_Text.html

Some information on Cyrus Woodman and the history of the library is available at: http://astronomy.library.wisc. edu/about/woodman.html

Left: The Italianate Wasburn Observatory on the Campus of the University of Wisconsin- Madison, shortly after it was completed in 1881.

Contributing Observatory Scrapbook entries We encourage you to contribute entries for the Observatory Scrapbook series. The guidelines are sim- ple. There should be at least one illustration of some historical observatory accompanied by a brief description. In this context ‘historical’ means ‘in existence before 1945.’ Typically the description will be only a few hundred words long, though more extensive pieces are acceptable. Pictures that are themselves pre-1945 are preferred, though modern ones are acceptable, particular- ly as supplementary illustrations. Photographs, paintings, engravings, drawings etc. are all acceptable. Less-familiar observatories in the UK and the Irish Republic are preferred, in the spirit of the Survey, though major and overseas institutions are also welcome. You should send contributions to the edito- rial address on the back page. We hope to hear from you.

Library Manual October. It is a personal gift from and Catalogue Stuart Williams, current All members should Treasurer and Research Library News now have received a Librarian. A report will appear in printed copy of our the next issue of the Bulletin. Madeline Cox and Stuart Williams Library Manual and Catalogue. We hope this will be the first of RAS Library Purchases and Donations a biennial event. Quarterly There has been a single purchase updates will appear on our Web News since the last Bulletin: a second- site. We would welcome your hand copy of Our Scientific feedback of what we hope will be Peter Hingley Heritage: an A-Z of Great Britain a useful publication. and Ireland by Trevor Williams By kind invitation (1996, Sutton Publ: Stroud), SHA members which will be added to the BMI news may use the RAS Reference Collection. Thank you As a memorial to Ken Goward a Library. The opening to those members who took clock was unveiled in the Library hours are 10:00 am – advantage of our book offers and during the lunch break at this 5:00 pm, Monday to bought surplus stock from us. year’s Autumn Conference on 31 Friday. The address of the RAS is

Page 58 SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Burlington House, Piccadilly, Use of RAS images ensuing publications. However, a London, W1J 0BQ. Contact Peter The RAS can often make images few cases have been noticed Hingley (020-7734 -4582, ext. from its collection available to recently where RAS images have 215; mobile: 07757 133891 or members free of charge if they are been reproduced without acknowl- [email protected]). to be used for scholarly purposes. edgement. This behaviour is, at On-line catalogue: http://ras.her- All that is asked in return is that best, extremely discourteous. itage4.com acknowledgement is given in any

included with this issue of the the Bulletin, but in the meantime SHA News Bulletin. Early booking is recom- we are most grateful to Mr mended as seating space is limit- Ridgway for his extremely gener- Compiled by Clive Davenhall ed. ous donation. Chetham’s Library was founded 2010 Events Programme in 1653 and is the oldest public Library Catalogue The SHA is planning the usual full library in the English-speaking A printed copy of the Library programme of events for 2010. world. The buildings that it occu- Manual and Catalogue was dis- The details are still under discus- pies are themselves somewhat tributed to members a few months sion but the outline is already older, dating from the second ago. If you have not received your clear. quarter of the fifteenth century, copy then please contact the RAS The main change from previous and are the most complete late- Librarian, Peter Hingley (contact years is that the AGM will be medieval residential complex details above). moved from the spring or summer extant in North West England. The An on-line version of the cata- conference to the Autumn Library has a superb collection logue is also available, as a PDF Conference, which in 2010 will be which includes Newton’s document, from the Society’s Web held on Saturday 30 October. As Principia, Flamsteed’s star cata- site, where it is updated quarterly. usual it will be at the BMI in logues and some papers by Birmingham and will be Jeremiah Horrocks and William unthemed. Crabtree. Forthcoming The details of the summer con- Chetham’s Library is adjacent to ference are still being discussed, Victoria Station and less than fif- Meetings and but the likely theme is the History teen minutes walk from Piccadilly Events of Astronomical Photography. Station. For further information Anyone interested in contributing see: http://www.chethams.org.uk/ a talk should contact Peter Hingley Clive Davenhall (contact details on the back page). Library Donation The following meetings and events The first meeting of the year will Subsequent to the completion of are arranged for 2010. The Summer be held at Chetham’s Library, the Library News (see p58) Mr Stephen Ridgway has kindly Conference and Summer Picnic are Manchester on Saturday 20 still being finalised and details will donated an extensive collection of February. See below for details. be circulated at a later date. Unless books on lunar studies. Some of We hope to hold the Summer noted otherwise, booking is neces- Picnic at the historic Stonyhurst these volumes are now rare and sary for meetings but not for exhibi- College in Lancashire (see difficult to obtain. The collection tions. Except where noted the events Newsletter no. 17, October 2008, includes books by Nasmyth, are organised by the SHA. The pp16-18). The details are still Proctor, Flammarion, Pickering details of non-SHA events are being finalised. and others. But the centrepiece checked as far as possible but cannot must be a copy of Kuiper’s be guaranteed. Items for inclusion in Meeting at Chetham’s Library Photographic Atlas of the Moon this list in future issues of the The first meeting of the year will (1960). There are also copies of Bulletin are welcome. They should be a return visit to Chetham’s other NASA atlases and reports be sent to the editorial address on the Library, Manchester on Saturday and numerous other items. back page. 20 February. The meeting is A report will appear in the unthemed. A booking form is Library News for the next issue of Until Sun. 7 Mar. Points of View.

SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009 Page 59 Exhibition of nineteenth century photography, including some scien- SHA Council and Officers tific photography. British Library, St Pancras. See: http://www.bl.uk/ Hon President pointsofview/ (non-SHA event). Dr Allan Chapman Hon Vice Presidents: Sat. 16 Jan to Sun. 9 May. Solar Dr Michael Hoskin Story: Understanding the Sun. An Sir Patrick Moore CBE FRS exhibition of striking solar images, including some historic ones from Chairman early observations. ROG Astronomy Gilbert Satterthwaite FRAS [email protected] Centre, National Maritime Museum, Secretary Greenwich. See: http://www.nmm. Kevin Kilburn FRAS [email protected] ac.uk/visit/exhibitions/ (non-SHA 158 Low Leighton Road, New Mills, High Peak, event). Derbyshire, SK22 4JF Sat. 30 Jan to Mon. 1 Feb. 2010. Treasurer, Research Librarian and SHA e-News Editor Living the Lunar Calendar: Time, Stuart Williams research.librarian@ Text, Tradition, to be held at the shastro.org.uk Bible Lands Museum, Jerusalem. 26 Matlock Road, Bloxwich, Walsall, WS3 3QD. See http://www.archeoastronomy. Membership Secretary org/ (non-SHA event). Peter Hingley [email protected] Sat. 20 Feb. Meeting at Chetham’s The Librarian, Royal Astronomical Society, Library, Manchester. A booking Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, W1J 0BQ form is enclosed. For further details Council Members contact Kevin Kilburn (email: secre- Jerry Grover FRAS [email protected] [email protected]; postal details Martin Lunn MBE [email protected] on the back page) See p59. Editor, The Antiquarian Astronomer Sat. 28 Aug to Sun. 5 Sept. Dr W R Withey* [email protected] Astronomy and Power: How Worlds 16 Lennox Close, Gosport, PO12 2UJ are Structured. A SEAC (Société Assistant Editor, The Antiquarian Astronomer Européene pour L’Astronomie dans Kevin Johnson* [email protected] la Culture) meeting. Gilching (near Editor, SHA Bulletin (for all correspondence) Munich), Germany. See: Clive Davenhall [email protected] http://www.archeoastronomy.org/ev 30 Millar Crescent, Morningside, Edinburgh, EH10 5HH ents/index.html (non-SHA event). Layout Editor, SHA Bulletin Sat. 30 Oct. SHA Autumn Peter Grego FRAS [email protected] Conference and AGM at the Head Librarian Birmingham and Midlands Institute, Madeline Cox FRAS* [email protected] Birmingham. Details TBC. This meeting is unthemed and offers of Archivist talks should be sent to Kevin Mark Hurn FRAS* [email protected] Kilburn (email: Survey Co-ordinator [email protected]). Roger Jones* [email protected] Web site Manager 2010 Subscriptions David Henderson [email protected] Annual subscriptions become due on 1 General communications to the Society should be directed to the January 2010. If you have already renewed thank you for your prompt sup- Secretary in the first instance. port. If not, your membership will be deemed to have lapsed if you do not renew SHA Web site: http://www.shastro.org.uk by 31 March 2010 in accordance with the * - also a Council Member Society’s constitution. A subscription renewal form has been circulated previ- The deadline for the next edition of the SHA Bulletin is ously and a reminder is enclosed with this Friday 2 April 2010

Page 60 SHA Bulletin Issue 19 Autumn 2009