Sextant by Jesse Ramsden with case

Sextant by Jesse Ramsden with case Sextant by Jesse Ramsden with case Sextant by Jesse Ramsden with case Sextant by Jesse Ramsden with case Sextant by Jesse Ramsden with case Sextant by Jesse Ramsden with case Sextant by Jesse Ramsden with case Sextant by Jesse Ramsden with case Sextant by Jesse Ramsden with case Sextant by Jesse Ramsden with case

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

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

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

Science Museum Group
© 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, 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

Brass sextant by Jesse Ramsden, in fitted mahogany keystone case, made 1770-75, Piccadilly, London. Sextant has polished brass 120° scale (-2° to 136°) with 20’ divisions and brass vernier (30”), three index-filter shades (red & green), one horizon filter (red) and ‘Maskelyne flap’ for greater accuracy when taking a sight of the Sun or Moon. Fitted with threaded telescope bracket for sighting telescope (130mm –inverted image).

Sextants were navigational instruments used to measure angular altitudes of celestial bodies whilst at sea, enabling mariners to determine latitude and local time. They were also used to calculate longitude at sea using the so-called ‘lunar distance’ method, carried out by comparing an accurate measurement of the angular distance between the Moon and a fixed star to a set of precalculated tables.

Sextants underwent a number of design improvements throughout the 18th century. Astronomer Royal Nevil Maskelyne made recommendations for ensuring accuracy despite unavoidable imperfections in the grinding of glass when taking sights of the Sun or Moon, which included the introduction of a hinged brass ‘Maskelyne flap’ as seen on this instrument. This sextant design by Jesse Ramsden was a similar type supplied to Captain Cook for his voyages in 1772 and 1776.

Details

Category:
Astronomy
Object Number:
1928-924
Materials:
brass (copper, zinc alloy), wood (unidentified), mahogany (wood) and glass
Measurements:
overall: 435 mm x 438 mm x 97 mm,
type:
sextant and instrument case
credit:
Mr Thomas H. Court

Parts

Case for Hadley type brass framed sextant

Case for Hadley type brass framed sextant

Case for a 15-inch sextant, by Ramsden, London

Materials:
wood
Object Number:
1928-924 Pt1
type:
instrument case
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Sextant by Jesse Ramsden

Brass sextant by Jesse Ramsden, Piccadilly, London, 1770-75. Sextant has polished brass 120° scale (-2° to 136°) with 20’ divisions and brass vernier (30”), three index-filter shades (red & green), one horizon filter (red) and ‘Maskelyne flap’ for greater accuracy when taking a sight of the Sun or Moon. Fitted with threaded telescope bracket for sighting telescope (130mm –inverted image). The instrument has its original fitted mahogany keystone case.

More

Sextants were navigational instruments used to measure angular altitudes of celestial bodies whilst at sea, enabling mariners to determine latitude and local time. They were also used to calculate longitude at sea using the so-called ‘lunar distance’ method, carried out by comparing an accurate measurement of the angular distance between the Moon and a fixed star to a set of precalculated tables.

Sextants underwent a number of design improvements throughout the 18th century. Astronomer Royal Nevil Maskelyne made recommendations for ensuring accuracy despite unavoidable imperfections in the grinding of glass when taking sights of the Sun or Moon, which included the introduction of a hinged brass ‘Maskelyne flap’ as seen on this instrument. This sextant design by Jesse Ramsden was a similar type supplied to Captain Cook for his voyages in 1772 and 1776.

Materials:
brass (copper, zinc alloy) , glass , mahogany (wood) and metal
Object Number:
1928-924 Pt2
type:
sextant
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Viewing telescope for Hadley type brass framed sextant

One of two removeable viewing telescopes for Sextant, 15-inch, by Jesse Ramsden, London, c 1775. Type of Hadley's sextant supplied by Ramsden for Captain Cook's second and third voyages, 1772 and 1776.

Materials:
metal , copper (alloy) , brass , glass , wood and mahogany
Object Number:
1928-924 Pt3
type:
instrument component and sextant
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum