Newtonian reflecting telescope made by William Herschel for the Radcliffe Observatory
- Materials:
- mahogany (wood) , brass (copper, zinc alloy) , iron and glass
- Object Number:
- 1935-5 Pt1
Newtonian reflecting telescope of 10-foot focal length, made by William Herschel, England, 1812. The telescope has an 8-inch speculum mirror, mahogany tube and altazimuth stand. It was installed at the Radcliffe Observatory, Oxford, in 1813.
The German-born astronomer and musician William Herschel (1738–1822) established a reputation for constructing fine reflecting telescopes. Particularly painstaking was the manufacture of the speculum mirror at the heart of each instrument, which he spent many hours grinding and polishing. Herschel personally oversaw the installation and adjustment of this telescope at the Radcliffe Observatory. Originally the instrument had four eyepieces which gave magnifications of 160, 240, 300 and 400 respectively, although these are now missing.