Calotype print by Nasmyth of his portable 13-inch reflecting telescope on the lawn in the grounds of his home, 1858-1865

Made:
1858-1865 in Penshurst
photographer:
James Hall Nasmyth

One of six calotype prints, showing a 13-inch reflecting telescope with a speculum mirror [see 1897-13] made by James Nasmyth in an open framework tube and an altazimuth mounting. Taken by him at the front of his large house, 'Hammerhurst' near Penshurst in Kent and undated 1858-1865.

Photograph (calotype print) by James Nasmyth (1808-1890), taken around 1858-1865, showing his portable 13-inch reflecting telescope on the lawn in the grounds of his home at 'Hammerfield' in Kent, England. Nasmyth a successful industrialist and engineer made extensive observations of the Moon. Working from drawings, he calculated the height of the lunar features by measuring the length of their shadows. These were then photographed with suitable lighting to produce better results than could be achieved at the time using direct lunar photography. He went onto photograph a whole series of his lunar models. They were used to illustrate the book, 'The Moon' that Nasmyth published in 1871 with James Carpenter.

Details

Category:
Astronomy
Object Number:
1933-582/3
Materials:
cardboard and paper (fibre product)
Measurements:
overall: 1.5 x 260 x 215 mm
type:
photograph and telescope - reflecting
credit:
Mr D.J. Johnson