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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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European astrolabe, 1570

Astronomy

1565-1575

Object glass for refracting telescope

Astronomy

1781-1791

Gregorian reflecting telescope, 1748-1788

Astronomy

1748-1788

Orrery planetary model by Thomas Wright, 1718-1747

Astronomy

1718-1747

English celestial globe with Sun and Moon arms, 1747

Astronomy

1747

Orrery planetary model

Astronomy

1789-1795

English glass celestial globe, 1739

Astronomy

1739

Mahogany pulley orrery

Astronomy

1750-1775
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

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

Astronomy

1986

Photograph of lunar crater model

Astronomy

1850-1874

Sir Patrick Moore's Sir Arthur Clarke Award 2005

Astronomy

2005

Islamic astrolabe

Astronomy

901-1100 CE

European astrolabe, 1425-1435

Astronomy

1425-1435

English horary quadrant, 1623-1700

Astronomy

1623-1700

Islamic astrolabe, 1145-1155

Astronomy

1145-1155

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

Astronomy

1909
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

Photograph of gibbous Moon

Astronomy

1880

Sir Patrick Moore's pipe

Astronomy

Unknown

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

Astronomy

1998-2002

European astrolabe, 1548

Astronomy

1548

Kew Photoheliograph

Astronomy

1857

One of 15 assorted photographs of Nasmyth's crater models

Astronomy

1850-1871

Accessories for transit circle by Edward Troughton

Astronomy

1806

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

Astronomy

1890

Islamic horary quadrant, 1727-1728

Astronomy

1727-1728

Photograph of the Great Nebula in Orion, 1883

Astronomy

1883

Italian draw-tube refracting telescope, 1714-1722

Astronomy

1714-1722

One of 15 assorted photographs of Nasmyth's crater models

Astronomy

1850-1871

French armillary astrolabe, 1661

Astronomy

1661

Orrery planetary model by Bahram Momeny, 2002

Astronomy

2002

Digital Optical Module (DOM) from the IceCube neutrino detector

Astronomy

2007-2008

Model of Yantra and astrolabe at Jaipur Observatory, 1884-1886

Astronomy

1884-1886

Model of Narivalaya at Jaipur Observatory, 1884-1886

Astronomy

1884-1886

White enamel glass mirror and box, by William Herschel

Astronomy

1780-1800

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

Astronomy

1909

Islamic astrolabe, 1605-1606

Astronomy

1605-1606

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

Astronomy

1927

Glass positive of Hubble’s classification of ‘nebulae’

Astronomy

1930

Reflecting telescope with trolly stand, 1767-1768

Astronomy

1767-1768

Refracting telescope on portable stand, 1800-1825

Astronomy

1800-1825

Orrery planetary model

Astronomy

1851-1856

Belgium Mars globe, 1892

Astronomy

1892

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

Astronomy

1986

Sir Patrick Moore's 'Moonshine' white wine

Astronomy

Lunar Crater model

Astronomy

1849-1851

Sir Patrick Moore's typewriter, made by the Woodstock Typewriter Company

Astronomy

1914-1940

star and sundial, Dutch, 1681

Astronomy

1681
Patent model in brass of a pantoscope, invented by Charles Emmanuel of Paris, patented in America [Patent No. 45,954 January 17, 1865] and made by T. Auvray, Paris.

Patent model in brass of a pantoscope

Astronomy

1865