The Greenwich Meridian Telescope -- Royal Observatory, Greenwich, London, UK
N 51° 28.673 W 000° 00.088
30U E 708215 N 5707233
An interpretive sign explains what is behind the glass at the Prime Meridian of the World, and what it does
Waymark Code: WMT46B
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 09/22/2016
Views: 4
Georghe Aory's Transit Circle Telecope defined his meridian line in 1851. In 1884, this line was accepted as the Prime Meridian of the World.
A small sign on the wall near the window explains a bit about what this massive telescope is, what the Prime Meridian is, and why the Prime Meridian is important, as follows:
"THE GREENWICH MERIDIAN TELESCOPE
Behind the window is a telescope which defines the Greenwich Meridian, the transit circle of 1850 designed by seventh Astronomer Royal, George Airy. It was the centerline of this instrument which was adopted by an international conference in Washington, USA, in 1884 as the prime meridian for the world, or longitude 00° 00’ 00”. Both time and longitude are measured from this line."
Type of Historic Marker: Interpretive sign
Historical Marker Issuing Authority: Royal Museums Greenwich
Age/Event Date: 01/01/1884
Related Website: [Web Link]
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