English astronomer, 19th century. The astronomer is seated on an observing platform mounted on a set of steps, and a pendulum clock is in the backgrou
English astronomer, 19th century. The astronomer is seated on an observing platform mounted on a set of steps, and a pendulum clock is in the background. The telescope itself is on what is known as an English cross-axis equatorial mount, and is being used to observe the night sky through the opening (upper right) in the observatory's dome. This mount, which ensures stability for large telescopes, was designed and used in England from 1741, rather than the German design of 1823. This artwork, by French illustrator Leon Benett (1838-1917), is from Astronomical Myths (1877) by the British geologist John Frederick Blake (1839-1906).
Size: 3274px × 5374px
Photo credit: © ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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