32-Inch Astronomical Quadrant -- Flamsteed House, Royal Observatory, Greenwich, UK
N 51° 28.679 W 000° 00.122
30U E 708176 N 5707243
A 32-inch astronomical quadrant instrument, formerly attached to a telescope, on display at the Flamsteed House's Octagon Room at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich
Waymark Code: WMT45D
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 09/22/2016
Views: 2
This 32-inch astronomical quadrant, when coupled with a telescope, allowed astronomers at the Royal Observatory to make precise measurements of the movement of starts through the skies. It measures the altitude of stars and planets over the horizon.
This 32-inch quadrant is on display in the Octogon Room at Flamsteed House, in the Royal Observatory at Greenwich.
An interpretive sign nearby reads as follows:
"32-INCH ASTRONOMICAL QUADRANT
This quadrant is signed by John Bird, but the telescope which was once attached is missing. This engraving of the Octagon Room by Francis Place shows a similar, earlier quadrant standing on a wheeled tripod platform, which allowed the astronomer to roll it from window to window."
Type of Historic Marker: Interpretive sign
Historical Marker Issuing Authority: Royal Museums Greenwich
Age/Event Date: 01/01/1750
Related Website: [Web Link]
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