Through a glass, darkly Issue 13 – February 2007 This copperplate engraving is the Workshop of Lens Grinders (circa 1780) by the Italian artist Francesco Pedro (1740-1806). It shows a perhaps somewhat stylised view of a lens-making workshop. Left and centre craftsmen examine a telescope and microscope. No other science is as dependent on a single instrument as astronomy on the telescope, and telescopes could not have developed without an established tradition of lens manufacture. Several of the articles in this issue cover aspects of the history of astronomical instrumentation. There is a report of last year’s Autumn Conference, which had the theme Historical Instruments and Imaging. John Armitage gives a second progress report on the recreation of a typical Victorian observatory at Pendrell Hall in Staffordshire and Leonard Honey describes the history of the sextant. The Workshop of Lens Grinders is reproduced from the exhibition catalogue A Spectacle of Spectacles by Wolf Winkler (ed), trans. Dorothy Jaeschke, 1988 (Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung Jena: Leipzig). A copy is available in the Society’s Libraries. Editorial David Rayner This issue carries further news of I wonder if you have ever thought eyed Clive is particularly good at fresh insights into the Antikythera about the way your Newsletter is this task. When all is corrected, the Mechanism, the complex geared produced? It’s a joint effort with co- final draft is sent to the printer on a mechanism covered in Greek editors Stuart Williams, Clive CD and a proof copy returned. After astronomical inscriptions that has Davenhall and Madeline Cox doing all the whizzing back and fourth on stirred so much interest since novel a lot of the digging and writing of the internet, this always seems imaging techniques revealed its the material for the regular columns somewhat sluggish, but it’s the way complex mechanism and and the remainder comes from the printer likes to do things and it astronomical markings in detail. contributors, usually members of the works. Finally, printed copies are Also in the Further news section we Society. Clive then edits the material sent to Peter Hingley who collates bring a report concerning the and decides which will go into the any fliers etc. and organises the discovery of a Mediaeval drawing of current issue and its probable stuffing and posting. Stonehenge - the first document to running order. Once we have use the name ‘Stonehenge’ - that has enough edited material ready, I start Sadly, this is the last Newsletter I been uncovered in France. This the assembly process. The object is shall be co-editing. Despite the joy issue also carries an update on the to make it all fit into 20 or 24 pages and satisfaction it has been to be intriguing re-creation of vintage (multiples of four sides) and this is involved in its production for the observatories at Pendrell Hall. mostly done by adjusting the last few years, overseas travel and a Incidentally, this is where the number and size of the images. building project will take me away Society will be holding this year’s Occasionally we will remove or from the keyboard and make it Summer Picnic, see Society news insert an extra small piece to make it impossible for me to help as we run below. We also have an article on all fit. Then comes the proof-reading into the Society’s fifth year. Clive, the history of the mariner’s sextant, stage. A copy of the draft, which is Stuart and Madeline have been a an indispensable aid to navigation at in Word format at this point is treasure to work with and I know sea. All our usual features will also turned into a PDF file and posted on that whoever takes over from me be found below – enjoy! the internet for the co-editors to read will find them just as friendly and and comment for corrections. Eagle- helpful as I have. Society News Stuart Williams Happy fifth anniversary! February is a little late, but the Council of the Society for the History of Astronomy would like to not only wish all our fellow members a Happy New Year, but also a Happy Fifth Anniversary Year – especially to our Founder Members! The Society was founded five years ago on 29 June, 2002, and the anniversary will be marked during the 2007 Summer Picnic (see below). Donation of slide projectors to the BMI At the SHA Council meeting at the Stuart Williams (left) and Kevin Johnson (right) hand over a gift of slide projectors to Birmingham & Midland Institute on Philip Fisher (centre) of the BMI. Photograph by Roger Jones 25 November 2006, two slide projectors were donated to the BMI The Museum donated them to the projectors were formally handed jointly by the SHA and The Science SHA for use at the BMI, which was over to Mr Philip Fisher, Museum, London. The Kodak urgently in need of replacement Administrator and General Secretary Carousel projectors were surplus to audio-visual equipment. The of the Institute, by SHA the needs of The Science Museum. SHA Newsletter – Issue 13 Page 2 February 2007 Councillor/Antiquarian Astronomer theme: The Survey of Astronomical 09:30 - 09:50: Registration Assistant Editor Kevin Johnson History. It is anticipated that the representing the Science Museum, Conference will focus on practical 09:50 - 10:00: Official Welcome, and SHA Secretary Stuart Williams ‘how to’ issues in researching and BAA President, Dr Richard Miles representing the SHA, in the recording local astronomical history presence of Council. and contributing to the Survey. 10:00 - 11:00: Mr Peter Grego, Some time for short papers on Lunar and Planetary Observing – Special thanks are due to The members’ own projects should also Learning from our Legacy Science Museum, especially Kevin be available. Details TBA. Johnson and his colleague James 11:00 - 12:00: Mr Anthony Kinder, Martin, Deputy Manager, Gallery Sat. 6 October. SHA Autumn Why History? Maintenance Department, for Conference at the BMI. Theme: A arranging the gift of these Review of Members’ Work. Papers 12:00 - 13:00: Mr Roger Jones, Sir professional quality projectors to the from 20 minutes to 1 hour including Robert Stawell Ball SHA. question time will be welcome, on all members’ projects, especially 13:00 - 14:00: Lunch break (lunch Apart from registering a significant local astronomical history and not provided) mark of our support for the BMI, to contributions to the Survey. which we are affiliated and from 14:00 - 15:00: Dr Dave Clements, which we also receive much support BAA/SHA Joint Meeting The Herschel Observatory (especially in the form of their housing of our Sir Robert Ball The British Astronomical 15:00 - 16:00: Dr Stephen Serjeant Library), the SHA will also benefit Association is holding an Out of and Dr Chris Pearson, The directly as we will not in future have London meeting on Saturday 21 AKARI/ASTRO-F Infrared to pay for slide projector hire at the April and has invited the SHA to Astronomy Satellite BMI during events. participate in the event as a Joint Meeting. The event will be held at 16:00 - 16:30: Tea Application for charitable the Birmingham & Midland status? Institute, Margaret Street, 16:30 - 17:30: Dr Allan Chapman, Birmingham (the usual venue for the The Astronomical work of Robert A flyer is included with this issue of SHA Autumn Conference; Hooke the Newsletter canvassing members’ http://www.bmi.org.uk). opinion on the SHA seeking 17:30 - 17:45: Close, BAA charitable status. This exercise is Admission is free of charge to President, Dr Richard Miles part of the Society’s planning for the members of the BAA, SHA and next few years. The Society has local astronomical societies. The BAA’s Meetings Secretary, always intended to apply for Booking is not required, but a Hazel Collett, may be contacted by charitable status in due course: there charge for refreshments will be email: [email protected]. are numerous advantages, made on the day. You are particularly financial ones. The recommended to bring a packed Summer Picnic Society’s fifth anniversary year lunch or plan on eating out because finds it well-established and an of the limited capacity of Hudson’s Council had hoped that the Society’s application is now considered cafe at the BMI. Please note that the fifth anniversary would be marked timely. Members are encouraged to SHA is not organising this event but with an event to be held over the respond accordingly. is supporting it by providing two summer at Wadham College, speakers and contributing towards Oxford, the site of the Founding (see SHA meetings in 2007 the cost of refreshments as well as Newsletter no. 11, July 2006, p23). providing audio-visual equipment However, revised arrangements at The Society will hold the following for the day. The Sir Robert Ball Wadham College have made such an meetings during 2007. Library will be open 12 noon - 2 pm event prohibitively expensive. for those attending. Instead the 2007 SHA Summer Sat. 21 April. BAA/SHA Joint Picnic will be held in the Meeting. See below. The SHA Council would like to picturesque grounds of Pendrell Hall strongly encourage members to in Codsall Wood, Staffordshire on Sat. 16 June. Summer Picnic. See support this event, which offers a Saturday 16 June. below. fine mix of historical and scientific astronomical lectures as well as the The Society has kindly been invited Sat. 14 July. AGM and Summer opportunity to meet like-minded to Pendrell Hall by Mr John Conference at the National Maritime members of the BAA.