Royal Observatory, Cape of Good Hope 1820-1831 - The Founding of a Colonial Observatory Incorporating a biography of Fearon Fallows

This book, which has been in the making for some eighteen years, would never have begun were it not for Dr. David Dewhirst in 1976 kindly having shown the author a packet of papers in the archives of the Cambridge Obser vatories. These letters and miscellaneous papers of Fearon Fallows sparked an interest in the history of the Royal Observatory at the Cape of Good Hope which, after the diversion of producing several books on later phases of the Observatory, has finally resulted in a detailed study of the origin and first years of the Observatory's life. Publication of this book coincides with the 175th anniversary of the founding of the Royal Observatory, e.G.H. Observatories are built for the use of astronomers. They are built through astronomers, architects, engineers and contractors acting in concert (if not always in harmony). They are constructed, with whatever techniques and skills are available, from bricks, stones and mortar; but their construction may take a toll of personal relationships, patience, and flesh and blood.

Sommario

1: From Cockermouth to the Cape Via Cambridge.- The Origins of the Royal Observatory, CGH.- The Young Fallows.- Cambridge Undergraduate.- Religious Orders.- A Cambridge Career.- Mathematical Reform.- Astronomy at Cambridge.- The Royal Astronomical Society and the Royal Society.- Preparations for Departure.- 2: Cape Residence.- Voyage to the Cape.- Initial Impressions.- The Temporary Observatories.- The Catalogue of Southern Stars.- A Proposed Time Service.- The Search for a Suitable Site.- Lacaille's Observatory.- Fallows's Personal Life.- Financial Arrangements.- George Thompson.- Captain Owen and the Longitude of the Cape.- Minor Publications.- Observations of Eclipses.- The Assistants.- Diversions.- 3: Birth of the Observatory.- Land Acquisition: 1823-24.- The Plan Delayed.- The Architect.- The Architecture.- The First Contract.- John Cannon.- The Meridian Line.- John Skirrow.- The Foundations.- Winter 1825.- The Second Contract.- Synopsis of the Construction.- Security Measures.- Quality Control.- The Chases.- Instrument Piers.- Outhouses.- The Domes.- Fittings and Furniture.- 4: Instrumentation.- The Zenith Sector.- The Mural Circle.- The Transit Instrument.- Transportation to the Observatory.- Captain Ronald.- The Herschel 14-foot Reflector.- Clocks and Chronometers.- 5: Life at the Observatory.- Residential Occupation.- Land Acquisition: 1827-28.- Klerck's Estate.- Completion of the Instrument Piers.- The Meridian Marks.- The Observatory Well.- Beautifying the Site.- Manuel Johnson and the St. Helena Observatory.- Cambridge University Observatory.- Paramatta Observatory.- The South African Museum.- Miscellaneous Associations.- Ecclesiastical Involvements.- The Observatory and Slavery.- The Cape Wine Trade Committee.- 6: No Bed of Roses.- Response toCriticism.- Threat of Abortion.- Swinging the Pendulum.- Testing the Transit and Mural Instruments.- The Departure of Captain Ronald.- First (and only) Meridian Results.- The Mural Circle: Completion of the Saga.- Final Days.- The Observatory in Limbo.- Mrs. Fallows.- Final Publication.- References.

Relazione

`... this is an absorbing and scholarly book by an erudite author, being one of a series he has written on the scientific and cultural life of the Cape colony. I can highly recommend it.'
Journal for the History of Astronomy, 30:3 (1999)

Dettagli sul prodotto

• Autori: Brian Warner
• Editore: Springer Netherlands
• Lingue: Inglese
• Formato: Tascabile
• Pubblicazione: 11.03.2013
• EAN: 9789401040631
• ISBN: 978-94-0-104063-1
• Pagine: 240
• Illustrazioni: XII, 240 p.
• Categoria: Scienze naturali, medicina, informatica, tecnica > Fisica, astronomia > Astronomia