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Astronomy

Explore the tools people have used to understand the heavens. These objects form a world-class record of astronomical instrument-making, observation and demonstrations from the 10th century to the present day.

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English glass celestial globe, 1739

Astronomy

1739

Orrery planetary model

Astronomy

1789-1795

Gregorian reflecting telescope, 1748-1788

Astronomy

1748-1788

Orrery planetary model by Thomas Wright, 1718-1747

Astronomy

1718-1747

English horary quadrant, 1623-1700

Astronomy

1623-1700

Mahogany pulley orrery

Astronomy

1750-1775

Sample panel and adjustor for the James Clerk Maxwell Sub-millimetre telescope, 1986

Astronomy

1986

Photograph of lunar crater model

Astronomy

1850-1874
Eye-piece micrometer inscribed E.6 in wood mount with brass frame divided circle (120 divisions numbered from 0 degree to 60 degrees) and steel screw, 2 threads in position

Filar micrometer by William Herschel, 1780-1800

Astronomy

1780-1800

Islamic horary quadrant, Persian, 1701-1800

Astronomy

1701-1800

Islamic astrolabe

Astronomy

901-1100 CE

Orrery planetary model by Bahram Momeny, 2002

Astronomy

2002

Photograph of the Great Nebula in Orion, 1883

Astronomy

1883

Aluminium spectroscopic plate from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS)

Astronomy

1998-2002

Model of Narivalaya at Jaipur Observatory, 1884-1886

Astronomy

1884-1886

Islamic horary quadrant, 1727-1728

Astronomy

1727-1728

Kew Photoheliograph

Astronomy

1857

Photograph of the emission nebula, Eta Carina (1 hour exposure)

Astronomy

1909

White enamel glass mirror and box, by William Herschel

Astronomy

1780-1800

Photograph of gibbous Moon

Astronomy

1880

Belgium Mars globe, 1892

Astronomy

1892

Map of Europe marked with the paths of totality for solar eclipses during the 20th century

Astronomy

1927

European astrolabe, 1548

Astronomy

1548
Patent model of improved orrery by John G. Moore of Philadelphia, US Patent 51072 dated 21st November 1865, with original tag.

Patent model of orrery planetary mechanism, 1865

Astronomy

1865

Case for the first Gregorian reflecting telescope

Astronomy

1740-1744

One of 15 assorted photographs of Nasmyth's crater

Astronomy

1850-1871

French armillary astrolabe, 1661

Astronomy

1661

Italian draw-tube refracting telescope, 1714-1722

Astronomy

1714-1722

Digital Optical Module (DOM) from the IceCube neutrino detector.

Astronomy

2007-2008

Photographic print of Herschel's Forty-Foot Telescope, 1890

Astronomy

1890

Islamic astrolabe, 1605-1606

Astronomy

1605-1606

Photograph of the emission nebula, Eta Carina (12 hour exposure)

Astronomy

1909

Refracting telescope on portable stand, 1800-1825

Astronomy

1800-1825

Reflecting telescope with trolly stand, 1767-1768

Astronomy

1767-1768

Orrery planetary model

Astronomy

1851-1856

Sample radio receiver for the James Clerk Maxwell sub-millimetre radio telescope, 1986

Astronomy

1986

One of 15 assorted photographs of Nasmyth's crate

Astronomy

1850-1871

X-Y Plate measuring machine by Carl Zeiss, Jena, s

Astronomy

1960-1965

Lunar Crater model

Astronomy

1849-1851

Spare mirror segment for the High Energy Stereoscopic System (HESS)

Astronomy

2000-2003

star and sundial, Dutch, 1681

Astronomy

1681

Photograph of Drawing of Solar Chromosphere

Astronomy

1869

Dall-Kirkham reflecting telescope, 1960-1975

Astronomy

1960-1975

Lunar photograph taken with the Kew Photoheliograph

Astronomy

1860-1862

Chinese planisphere with pamplet, 1819

Astronomy

1819

Colour print showing three sketches of craters on the Moon

Astronomy

1872

Italian celestial globe, 1636

Astronomy

1636

Solar eclipse photograph taken with the Kew Photoheliograph

Astronomy

1860

Astronomical quadrant with stand, 1685-1724

Astronomy

1685-1724

Calotype print by Nasmyth of lunar crater models and a refracting telescope outside his home in England, 1858

Astronomy

1858