Great Silver-on-Glass Reflector Telescope

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Great Silver-on-Glass Reflector Telescope

Equatorially mounted reflecting telescope built by Leon Foucault, a French physicist best known for the invention of the Foucault pendulum, a device demonstrating the effect of the Earths rotation. Foucault showed how, by the deposition of a transparently thin film of silver on the outer side of the object glass of a telescope, the sun could be viewed without injuring the eye. An equatorial mount allows a telescope to follow the rotation of the sky (celestial sphere) by having one rotational axis parallel to the Earths axis of rotation. The advantage of an equatorial mount lies in its ability to allow the instrument attached to it to stay fixed on any object in the sky that has a diurnal motion by driving one axis at a constant speed. Coloured illustration from The Heavens by Amedee Guillemin, Publ. Richard Bentley, 1878

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Media ID 6315221

© DAVID PARKER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Axis Celestial Sphere Diurnal Equator Equatorial France Glass Natural World Newton Newtonian Observatories Pendulum Physicist Reflecting Reflection Silver Telescope Astronomical Instruments Foucault

EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases the remarkable Great Silver-on-Glass Reflector Telescope, a groundbreaking invention by French physicist Leon Foucault. Renowned for his creation of the Foucault pendulum, which demonstrated Earth's rotation, Foucault revolutionized astronomical observation with this equatorially mounted reflecting telescope. By applying a transparently thin film of silver to the outer side of the object glass, Foucault ingeniously enabled safe viewing of the sun without harming one's eyes. The equatorial mount design allows this telescope to effortlessly track celestial objects as they move across the sky due to Earth's rotation. Its ability to keep an instrument fixed on any diurnally moving object is a significant advantage in astronomical observations. The beautifully illustrated image from Amedee Guillemin's book "The Heavens" transports us back to 1878 when this technological marvel was first introduced. It captures not only our fascination with astronomy but also highlights humanity's relentless pursuit of understanding and exploring our natural world. Foucault's reflector telescope played a pivotal role in advancing scientific knowledge and became instrumental in various observatories worldwide. This Newtonian-style instrument represents both innovation and precision, embodying centuries-old principles combined with modern advancements. As we gaze upon this awe-inspiring photograph, we are reminded of how far we have come in unraveling the mysteries of our universe while remaining captivated by its infinite wonders.

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