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Sirius - Wikipedia Coordinates: 06 H 4 5 M 08.9 1 7 3 S, −1 6 ° 4 2 ′ 5 8.01 7 ″
12/2/2018 Sirius - Wikipedia Coordinates: 06 h 4 5 m 08.9 1 7 3 s, −1 6 ° 4 2 ′ 5 8.01 7 ″ Sirius Sirius (/ˈsɪriəs/, a romanization of Greek Σείριος, Seirios, lit. "glowing" or "scorching") is a star system Sirius A and B and the brightest star in the Earth's night sky. With a visual apparent magnitude of −1.46, it is almost twice as bright as Canopus, the next brightest star. The system has the Bayer designation Alpha Canis Majoris (α CMa). What the naked eye perceives as a single star is a binary star system, consisting of a white main-sequence star of spectral type A0 or A1, termed Sirius A, and a faint white dwarf companion of spectral type DA2, called Sirius B. The distance separating Sirius A from its companion varies between 8.2 and 31.5 AU.[24] Sirius appears bright because of its intrinsic luminosity and its proximity to Earth. At a distance of 2.6 parsecs (8.6 ly), as determined by the Hipparcos astrometry satellite,[2][25][26] the Sirius system is one of Earth's near neighbours. Sirius is gradually moving closer to the Solar System, so it will slightly increase in brightness over the next 60,000 years. After that time its distance will begin to increase and it will become fainter, but it will continue to be the brightest star in the Earth's night sky for the next 210,000 years.[27] The position of Sirius (circled). Sirius A is about twice as massive as the Sun (M☉) and has an absolute visual magnitude of 1.42. -
George Willis Ritchey: Astrophotographer by Robert Anderson
S P R I N G Q U A R T E R / M A R C H 2 0 1 9 George Willis Ritchey: Astrophotographer By Robert Anderson A century ago, Mount Wilson Observatory lost a brilliant astronomer — George Willis Ritchey. When George Ellery Hale left Yerkes Observatory in 1904 to create Mount Wilson, Ritchey was one of four staff members he brought with him. Hale knew he would be indispensable to the new endeavor. And Ritchey was. He designed and built almost every early telescope and optical component on the mountain. Yet for all his contributions, a clash of egos with Hale and charges of disloyalty lead to his dismissal on October 31, 1919. The story of this unpleasant affair is well told by astronomer Donald Osterbrock in his 1993 book, Pauper & Prince: Ritchey, Hale, and Big American Telescopes. It is also the best account of the master optician and his genius (from which much of the information in this article is derived). On the centennial of Ritchey’s On ecember th, , eorge itchey took his rst departure, let’s celebrate his amazing work instead. photograph with the new 60-inch Telescope on Mount Wilson. He chose the Orion Nebula. Perhaps the most Ritchey wore many hats. He was an astronomer, a photographed object in the night sky, recording details of telescope designer, and an expert optician. He took the its glowing gases is a true test of an astrophotographer’s technology of mirror grinding to new levels of perfection equipment and skills. Credit: Carnegie Observatories. —such that his 60-inch mirror grinding machine now rests in the Smithsonian. -
Historyofthetelescope
HISTORY OF THE TELESCOPE Pedro Ré http://pedroreastrophotography.com/ Contents Joseph von Fraunhofer (1787 - 1826) and the Great Dorpat refractor .................................................. 3 Alvan Clark (1804-1887), George Bassett Clark (1827-1891) and Alvan Graham Clark (1832-1897): American makers of telescope optics. .................................................................................................. 13 William Parsons (1800-1867) e o Leviatã de Parsonstown (in Portuguese) ......................................... 21 O Telescópio de Craig (1852) (in Portuguese) ...................................................................................... 29 The 25-inch Newall Refractor ............................................................................................................... 37 The Kew Photoheliograph ..................................................................................................................... 43 O Grande Telescópio de Melbourne (in Portuguese) ........................................................................... 51 O Grande Refractor da Exposição de Paris (1900) (in Portuguese) ...................................................... 61 William Lassell’s (1799-1880) Telescopes and the discovery of Triton ................................................ 71 James Nasmyth’s (1808-1890) telescopes ............................................................................................ 77 The 36-inch Crosley Reflector .............................................................................................................. -
A Short History of Hambur Y of Hambur Y of Hamburg Observatory
A short history of Hamburggg Observvvaaatoryyy Stuart R. Anderson & Dieter Engels This paper’s aim is to provide a short history of Hamburg Observatory, its astronomers and instruments, its contribution to astronomy and to the popularisation and educational development of astronomy in Germany. Introduction ‘Bergedorf’, and this name will sometimes be used in this paper, although its official name is Hamburger Sternwarte), a small community just east of the city of Hamburg in north- Hamburg Observatory is located in Bergedorf, near the port ern Germany. This was not always the case, however. Johann city of Hamburg, Germany. Its history throughout its ap- Georg Repsold (1770−1830) was a fireman in the city who proximately 170 years of existence has been interesting and also maintained lighthouse equipment in his own workshop. varied, and at one stage it was one of the largest observato- For extra income, he was permitted to use this workshop for ries in Europe. The observatory and its astronomers have private purposes and having taken lessons in astronomy produced some contributions of outstanding importance to and mathematics, had an interest in building astronomical astronomy, including the celebrated Schmidt corrector plate. observing instruments. In 1799, the Swiss Johann Caspar Several minor planets, comets and novae were discovered Horner received a commission to survey the Weser, Elbe and and catalogues of crucial significance were and continue to Eider rivers and needed good quality optical equipment. be produced. More re- Repsold’s workshop seemed well suited to the task, and the cently, research efforts order for the equipment awakened his astronomical inter- have turned to extraga- ests. -
The Evolution of Astronomical Observatory
Journal of the Korean Astronomical Society https://doi.org/10.5303/JKAS.2019.52.4.99 52: 99 ∼ 108, 2019 August pISSN: 1225-4614 · eISSN: 2288-890X Published under Creative Commons license CC BY-SA 4.0 http://jkas.kas.org THE EVOLUTION OF ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY DESIGN Miguel Angel´ Castro Tirado1,2 and Alberto J. Castro-Tirado1,2 1Instituto de Astrof´ısicade Andaluc´ıa(IAA-CSIC), Glorieta de la Astronom´ıas/n, 18008 Granada, Spain; [email protected] 2Unidad Asociada al CSIC Departamento de Ingenier´ıade Sistemas y Autom´atica,Escuela de Ingenier´ıaIndustrial, Universidad de M´alaga, Arquitecto Francisco Pe~nalosa,29071 M´alaga,Spain; [email protected] Received May 4, 2019; accepted June 11, 2019 Abstract: This work addresses the development of the astronomical observatory all through history, from an architectural point of view, as a building in relation to the observing instruments and their functioning as a heterogeneous work center. We focused on 32 observatories (in the period 1259{2007) and carefully analyzed the architectures. Considering the impact of the construction itself or its facilities on the results of the research (thermal or structural stability, poor weather protection, turbulence, etc.), there is little attention paid to theories or studies of the architectural or construction aspects of the observatories. Therefore, this work aims to present a theoretical-critical contribution that, at least, invites the reflection of those involved in the development of astronomical observatories in the future. Key words: history and philosophy of astronomy | telescopes 1.I NTRODUCTION tro Tirado 2019a), starting from the examination of plans, ruins and the buildings themselves, this study The theoretical approach to astronomical observato- goes back to the genesis of the observatories trying to ries has its origin in the roots of the modern observa- illustrate the reciprocal relationship that exists between tory (Brahe 1602; Caramuel de Lobkowitz 1678). -
Historyofthetelescope
HISTORY OF THE TELESCOPE PEDRO RÉ http://www.astrosurf.com/re CONTENTS JOSEPH VON FRAUNHOFER (1787 - 1826) AND THE GREAT DORPAT REFRACTOR ......................................... 3 ALVAN CLARK (1804-1887), GEORGE BASSETT CLARK (1827-1891) AND ALVAN GRAHAM CLARK (1832- 1897): AMERICAN MAKERS OF TELESCOPE OPTICS ................................................................................ 13 WILLIAM PARSONS (1800-1867) E O LEVIATÃ DE PARSONSTOWN .......................................................... 21 THE 25-INCH NEWALL REFRACTOR...................................................................................................... 29 O TELESCÓPIO DE CRAIG (1852) ........................................................................................................ 35 O GRANDE TELESCÓPIO DE MELBOURNE ............................................................................................. 41 O GRANDE REFRACTOR DA EXPOSIÇÃO DE PARIS (1900) ...................................................................... 51 THE 36-INCH CROSSLEY REFLECTOR ................................................................................................... 61 BUILDING LARGE TELESCOPES: I- REFRACTORS ...................................................................................... 69 BUILDING LARGE TELESCOPES: II- REFLECTORS ..................................................................................... 77 THE SPECTROHELIOGRAPH AND THE SPECTROHELISCOPE ........................................................................ 93 RUSSELL -
Joseph Von Fraunhofer (1787 - 1826) and The
JOSEPH VON FRAUNHOFER (1787 - 1826) AND THE GREAT DORPAT REFRACTOR PEDRO RÉ http://www.astrosurf.com/re The great Dorpat refractor was built in 1824 by Joseph von Fraunhofer (1787-1826). It was the first modern, achromatic refractor and the largest in the world. The 9.5-inch, 14 foot focal length refractor was noted for his high quality lens but also for its mounting, the first example of what became known as the “German equatorial mount”. This refractor was installed by Friedrich Georg Wilhelm Struve (1793-1864) at the Dorpat Observatory and extensively used in pioneering observations of double stars and parallax measurements of several stars (Figure 1). Figure 1- Joseph von Fraunhofer (1787-1826) (left) and Friedrich Georg Wilhelm Struve (1793-1864) (right). Fraunhofer was born in Staubing (Bavaria, Germany) on March 6, 1787, the eleventh and last child of Xaver Fraunhofer, a glazier and builder of decorative glass. The young Fraunhofer lost his mother at the age of eleven and his father a year later. With only twelve he became an apprentice to a mirror maker and ornamental glass cutter in Munich (P.A. Weichselberger). After only two years the apprenticeship ended abruptly when Weichselberger house collapsed. Fraunhofer was protected by a cross-beam and escaped injured, but alive. In 1806 Fraunhofer was offered a junior post at the Munich Institute by Joseph Utzschneider, a politician and entrepreneur that left his posts to concentrate on the making of fine instruments and optics. Within a year, he was grinding and polishing lenses and soon after took charge of a workshop and several apprentices. -
The Evolution of Astronomical Observatory Design
Journal of the Korean Astronomical Society https://doi.org/10.5303/JKAS.2019.52.4.99 52: 99 ∼ 108, 2019 August pISSN: 1225-4614 · eISSN: 2288-890X Published under Creative Commons license CC BY-SA 4.0 http://jkas.kas.org THE EVOLUTION OF ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY DESIGN Miguel Angel´ Castro Tirado1,2 and Alberto J. Castro-Tirado1,2 1Instituto de Astrof´ısicade Andaluc´ıa(IAA-CSIC), Glorieta de la Astronom´ıas/n, 18008 Granada, Spain; [email protected] 2Unidad Asociada al CSIC Departamento de Ingenier´ıade Sistemas y Autom´atica,Escuela de Ingenier´ıaIndustrial, Universidad de M´alaga, Arquitecto Francisco Pe~nalosa,29071 M´alaga,Spain; [email protected] Received May 4, 2019; accepted June 11, 2019 Abstract: This work addresses the development of the astronomical observatory all through history, from an architectural point of view, as a building in relation to the observing instruments and their functioning as a heterogeneous work center. We focused on 32 observatories (in the period 1259{2007) and carefully analyzed the architectures. Considering the impact of the construction itself or its facilities on the results of the research (thermal or structural stability, poor weather protection, turbulence, etc.), there is little attention paid to theories or studies of the architectural or construction aspects of the observatories. Therefore, this work aims to present a theoretical-critical contribution that, at least, invites the reflection of those involved in the development of astronomical observatories in the future. Key words: history and philosophy of astronomy | telescopes 1.I NTRODUCTION tro Tirado 2019a), starting from the examination of plans, ruins and the buildings themselves, this study The theoretical approach to astronomical observato- goes back to the genesis of the observatories trying to ries has its origin in the roots of the modern observa- illustrate the reciprocal relationship that exists between tory (Brahe 1602; Caramuel de Lobkowitz 1678). -
The Telescope
THE TELESCOPE Robert W. Smith – University of Alberta Suggested Citation: Robert W. Smith, “The Telescope,” Encyclopedia of the History of Science (June 2021) doi: 10.34758/8scg-y498 The telescope as a working device was invented in the opening decade of the seventeenth century. Through its use and for the first time, novel phenomena were quickly revealed that had previously been invisible. While instruments had long been central to the practice of astronomy, the science was highly mathematical and directed to measuring and calculating the positions of celestial bodies. The telescope therefore initially had little to offer to astronomy as it was conventionally understood around 1610. In time, however, the device so changed the field that the history of astronomy falls into two main periods, one before the telescope’s invention and one after. In the first period, observations of the heavens were restricted to what could be detected with the naked eye, while in the second the telescope provided the means to examine familiar objects in new and more detailed ways, as well as to observe astronomical bodies too faint to register on the human eye. Instruments, it has been argued, determine what can be done, and “they also determine to some extent what can be thought. Often the instrument provides a possibility; it is an initiator of investigation."1 The ways in which astronomers and natural philosophers viewed and thought about the universe were transformed through the telescope’s use, and its invention brought about a profound social change as the practice of astronomy was no longer restricted to the learned. -
Denver's Great Telescope
QX-DU•telescope\cvrSpread 12/19/05 9:17 AM Page 1 Notice: and right sides that will be folded into the spine, and glued. into the spine, and right sides that will be folded So as to achieve double thick front & back covers. front & back thick double So as to achieve Denver’s Great Telescope additional 5.875” have may Cover panels on both left Denver’s Great Telescope TELESCOPE DENVER’S GREAT By Claire M.By Claire Stencel & Robert E. Stencel This guidebook will introduce you to the University of Denver’s historic Chamberlin Observatory in south Denver, which houses a 20-in. aperture Clark-Saegmuller Refractor type telescope. This telescope, one of the largest of its era, saw first light in July 1894 and is still function- al. Regular classes and public viewing sessions still occur. Astronomy at the University of Denver has remained con- tinuously active since 1880, in the pursuit of research, teaching and community outreach. Please visit the Internet home pages of the University of Denver obser- vatories for more information (http://www.du.edu). Photo by George Beam, 1898 University of Denver Penrose Archives Your Guidebook to the University of Denver’s Historic ISBN#0-9762017-2-0 Chamberlin Observatory By Claire M. Stencel & Robert E. Stencel Glenn E. Montgomery, Editor Cover may have additional 5.875” have may Cover panels on both left first edition, 2006 So as to achieve double thick front & back covers. front & back thick double So as to achieve and right sides that will be folded into the spine, and glued. -
The Development of Astronomy in the United States Prior to 1900
AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF William A. Harburg for the degree ofMaster of Arts in Interdisci- plinary Studies in the co-departments of General Science, History,and History presented on October 28, 1985 . Title: The Development of rono the United States Prior to 1900 Redacted for Privacy Abstract Approved: Robert J. Morris () From the earliest English colonization to the present day, there has been interest in astronomy in this country. The purpose of this thesis is to show how the science of astronomy developed in America from the earliest observations by educated colonists using imported instruments and publishing in European journals, to the end of the nineteenth century, when advances in technology and education had brought American astronomers to a position of equality with European astronomers in technique, instrumentation, publications, and facilities. The information presented in this paper is derived froma survey of the literature on the subject, including European and American books and articles, and unpublished dissertations and theses. Both modern European and American writers agree that the momentum gained by the American astronomers by the late nineteenth centurywas directly responsible for the unquestioned leadership in the science enjoyed here through the first half of the twentieth century. The Development of Astronomy in the United States Prior to 1900 by William A. Harburg A THESIS submitted to Oregon State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies Completed October 28, 1985 Commencement June 1986 APPROVED: Redacted for Privacy As ociate Professqr of General Sciencp in charge of major Redacted for Privacy r# Professor of History fin charge of co-field Redacted for Privacy Professor of History in charge of co-field Redacted- for Privacy Chairman of depI rtment of General Science Redacted for Privacy Dean of Graduat chool (I Date thesis is presented October 28, 1985 Typed by researcher for William A. -
Epigeneetiline Pööre
HISTORY OF THE TARTU OBSERVATORY (1805-1948) TARTU OBSERVATOORIUM & ELUS GEORGI ZHELNIN HISTORY OF THE TARTU OBSERVATORY (1805-1948) TARTU 2020 HISTORY OF THE TARTU OBSERVATORY (1805-1948) Translated from: Georgi Želnin „Tartu Observatoorium 1805-1948” 2004 Tartu Observatooriumi Virtuaalne Muuseum Translated from Estonian: Tõnu Viik Editors: Tõnu Viik & Lauri Laanisto Language editor: Daniel Edward Allen Layout: Lauri Laanisto Copyright: Tartu Observatory Virtual Museum & Estonian Naturalists’ Society ISBN: 978-9949-9715-5-8 (pdf) Table of Contents Part I – Introduction From the Editor ........................................................................ 9 About the Author ................................................................... 11 Part II – Under German leadership The Beginnings of Astronomical Observation in Tartu........... 17 The first ten years of operation, 1811-21 .............................. 31 The Blossoming of Tartu Observatory (1822-1839) ............... 45 Tartu Observatory activities 1840-72 ..................................... 59 Observatory during L. Schwarz’s directorship 1872-91 ......... 75 Part III – Under the leadership of Russians Observatory activities 1894-1908 ........................................ 101 Observatory activities 1908-18 ............................................ 123 Part IV – The Estonian Period, confusing times Observatory activities 1919-40 ............................................ 151 Observatory activities 1940-48 ............................................ 187 Part I –