Newtonian reflecting telescope made by William Herschel for the Radcliffe Observatory

Made:
1812 in Slough
maker:
William Herschel

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.

Details

Category:
Astronomy
Object Number:
1935-5
Materials:
mahogany, brass, iron, glass and complete
Measurements:
overall: 2400 x 650 x 2300 mm
type:
telescope - newtonian and telescope - reflecting
credit:
Trustees of Dr. John Radcliffe

Parts

Newtonian reflecting telescope made by William Herschel for the Radcliffe Observatory

Newtonian reflecting telescope made by William Herschel for the Radcliffe Observatory

Mahogany tube and altazimuth stand from Newtonian reflecting telescope of 10-foot focal length, made by William Herschel, England, 1812. It was installed at the Radcliffe Observatory, Oxford, in 1813.

Measurements:
overall: 70 mm x 170 mm x 150 mm,
Materials:
mahogany (wood) , brass (copper, zinc alloy) , iron and glass
Object Number:
1935-5 Pt1
type:
instrument component , telescope - newtonian and telescope - reflecting
Accessories for Newtonian reflecting telescope made by William Herschel for the Radcliffe Observatory

Accessories for Newtonian reflecting telescope made by William Herschel for the Radcliffe Observatory

Brass crank handle, single eyepiece, key and two broken wooden dowels (possibly unrelated) for Newtonian reflecting telescope of 10-foot focal length, made by William Herschel, England, 1812. The telescope was installed at the Radcliffe Observatory, Oxford, in 1813.

Eight-inch speculum mirror for Newtonian reflecting telescope made by William Herschel for the Radcliffe Observatory

Eight-inch speculum mirror for Newtonian reflecting telescope made by William Herschel for the Radcliffe Observatory

Eight-inch speculum mirror in a brass cell with tinplate cover, for Newtonian reflecting telescope of 10-foot focal length, made by William Herschel, England, 1812. The telescope was installed at the Radcliffe Observatory, Oxford, in 1813.