Norman Lockyer’s Seven-Prism Spectroscope and Eyepiece

Made:
1868 in England
maker:
John Browning
Norman Lockyer’s Seven-Prism Spectroscope and Eyepiece Norman Lockyer’s Seven-Prism Spectroscope and Eyepiece Norman Lockyer’s Seven-Prism Spectroscope and Eyepiece Norman Lockyer’s Seven-Prism Spectroscope and Eyepiece Norman Lockyer’s Seven-Prism Spectroscope and Eyepiece Norman Lockyer’s Seven-Prism Spectroscope and Eyepiece

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

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Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Astronomical spectroscope from Norman Lockyer Observatory, brass, with train of seven prisms and eyepiece.

The astronomer Sir Norman Lockyer is believed to have used this seven-prism spectroscope. Ordered from the London instrument maker, John Browning in 1868, he was using it when he discovered an unknown spectral line in the Sun. He attributed this feature to a mystery element that he called Helium, an element that was only discovered on the Earth in 1894. Lockyer also used this spectroscope to observe prominences, flame features on the edge of the Sun that can be normally seen only during solar eclipses. Jules Janssen at the Paris Observatory simultaneously discovered this technique of viewing prominences outside eclipse. In recognition of their achievement the French government jointly awarded them a medal showing both scientists.

Details

Category:
Astronomy
Object Number:
1987-1162
Materials:
brass, steel, glass and incomplete
type:
spectroscope - astronomica, solar eclipse and eyepiece
credit:
Purchased

Parts

Norman Lockyer’s seven-prism spectroscope

Astronomical spectroscope from Norman Lockyer Observatory, brass, with train of seven prisms. Thought to be the one made by John Browning, London for Norman Lockyer who first used it to view Solar Prominences [chromosphere] outside a solar eclipse.

More

The astronomer Sir Norman Lockyer is believed to have used this seven-prism spectroscope. Ordered from the London instrument maker, John Browning in 1868, he was using it when he discovered an unknown spectral line in the Sun. He attributed this feature to a mystery element that he called Helium, an element that was only discovered on the Earth in 1894. Lockyer also used this spectroscope to observe prominences, flame features on the edge of the Sun that can be normally seen only during solar eclipses. Jules Janssen at the Paris Observatory simultaneously discovered this technique of viewing prominences outside eclipse. In recognition of their achievement the French government jointly awarded them a medal showing both scientists.

Measurements:
overall: H. 120 mm x W. 350 mm x D. 280 mm, 3kg
Materials:
brass (copper, zinc alloy) , steel (metal) , glass and incomplete
Object Number:
1987-1162/1
type:
spectroscope - astronomica and solar eclipse
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London
eyepiece for Norman Lockyer’s seven-prism spectroscope

eyepiece for Norman Lockyer’s seven-prism spectroscope

Eyepiece for astronomical spectroscope from Norman Lockyer Observatory, London, England, 1868

More

This eyepiece forms part of the astronomical spectroscope believed to have been used by the astronomer Sir Norman Lockyer. Ordered from the London instrument maker, John Browning in 1868, Lockyer was using it when he discovered an unknown spectral line in the Sun. He attributed this feature to a mystery element that he called Helium, an element that was only discovered on the Earth in 1894.

Object Number:
1987-1162/2
type:
eyepiece