15-inch reflector telescope, November 1887. This telescope is on an altazimuth mount. An altazimuth is used to measure the altitude (from the horizon)

---

15-inch reflector telescope, November 1887. This telescope is on an altazimuth mount. An altazimuth is used to measure the altitude (from the horizon) and azimuth (angle from north) of a star. These measurements can then be used to calculate the precise position of the star. Unlike a transit circle telescope, an altazimuth telescope can be pointed at any region of the sky, using a complicated mechanism to move the telescope. This telescope, at Oakfield, Bittern, near Southampton, UK, was operated by British astronomer Major T. A. Skelton (left).

---

Size: 4566px × 3879px
Photo credit: © ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: ., 15-, 1800s, 1887, 19th, adult, altazimuth, amateur, astronomer, astronomical, astronomy, astrophysical, astrophysics, bittern, black--white, britain, british, caucasian, century, elderly, england, english, equipment, europe, european, historical, history, home, human, kingdom, major, male, man, monochrome, mount, november, oakfield, people, person, reflector, scientist, skelton, southampton, technological, technology, telescope, uk, united