3-003-775 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Great Equatorial of the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, 1861. 'This splendid instrument...was designed by the Astronomer Royal, G. B. Airy, Esq.; and his plans were carried out by Messrs Ransomes and Sims, of Ipswich, to whom the whole of the engineers' work was intrusted; Mr. Simms, of Fleet-street, supplying the optical parts...the object-glass...was furnished by Messrs. Merz and Sons, of Munich...The telescope-tube is of mahogany...In making astronomical observations it is absolutely necessary that the position of the observer be perfectly easy and comfortable. For this purpose the instrument is provided with an adjustable chair or couch carried by a framework so constructed as to command easy access to the eyepiece in any position of the telescope, and furnished with adjustments and contrivances so complete that the observer can, without taking his eye from the telescope, move either himself, the instrument, or the dome into any position he pleases...We may here remark that the sanctity of the observing-room is seldom disturbed by the presence of such visitors as the artist has inserted in the drawing: they are introduced merely to relieve the monotony of the picture, and to give an idea of the general proportions'. From "Illustrated London News", 1861.