A little ramble through 19th century astronomy - Paris Observatory in 1876

 Nature May 25th 1876

Paris Observatory

There is at present being erected in the Paris Observatory Gardens a house for the Bishofsheim transit instrument, which has been constructed admirably by Eichens.

The house possesses many peculiarities and was designed by M Leverrier for the better insuring of equality of temperature.

The roof can be removed on horizontal rails, and the walls are so perforated that there is a continual circulation of air in all parts. The frame of the house may be said to be pneumatic, as it has been constructed on a system analogous to that of the bones of birds. It is sure to work admirably.

                                                     www.theramblingastronomer.co.uk

Cooke telescope Tales - telescope for Oxford in 1859

 In 1859 Edward Moore of Queens College Oxford purchased a 3 inch telescope from Thomas Cooke. 

I have no further details on either the man or the telescope

                                                        www.theramblingastronomer.co.uk

A little ramble through 19th century astronomy - new red star in 1876

Nature May 25^th 1876

Mr Birmingham, Millbrook, Tuan, mentions (Astro Nache 2092) his having remarked an intensely red star of magnitude 8.5 which is not in Schjellerup’s catalogue. From its approximate position given the star appears to be No.  3168 in Durchmusterung, where it is estimated at magnitude 8.5. It has not been found in any other catalogues.

Today this star is known as T Lyrae in the constellation of Lyra.

                                                      www.theramblingastronomer.co.uk

Cooke Telescope Tales - telescope for St Johns Wood London in 1859

 In 1859 W. Mitchell of St. Johns Wood, London purchased a 3.5-inch telescope from Thomas Cooke. The telescope had a focal length of 4 feet and 4 inches, plus 4 astronomical and 1 terrestrial eyepiece. It came with an equatorial mount. The cost was £60. In 2023 prices that would be £9.785. 

I have no other information at the moment about W Mitchell.

                                                        www.theramblingastronomer.co.uk                 

Cooke Telescope Tales - Did Lewis Carroll observe the night sky through a Cooke telescope?

Edward Litton was appointed rector in 1860 at St. Andrew the Apostle Church ,Naunton, Cheltenham, he was a noted writer on theology and was a friend of Revd Charles Dodgson better known under his pen name of Lewis Carroll, the author, poet, mathematician and photographer. Lewis Carroll  is said to have stayed several times at the rectory with Litton.

 In 1866 Edward Litton  purchased from Thomas Cooke & Sons a telescope with a  4.5 inch aperture, plus a finder telescope , 4 astronomical eyepieces, solar prism, dark glasses, dew cap, all supplied in aa  polished in red deal case.

                                                      www.theramblingastronomer.co.uk

A little ramble through 19th century astronomy - Lalande 27095 Bootes in 1804

 Nature May 18^th 1876

The star Lalande 27095 (Bootes)

Olbers, writing to Bode in July 1804, respecting his observations of the comet of that year, remarks of Lalande 27095, near the place of which star the comet was situated on March 22^nd: It was observed by Lalande as a seventh magnitude on May 25^th 1795 (Histoire Celeste, p 164).

The star was observed by Bessel on May 21^st 1828 as a ninth magnitude and is No. 976 of hour xiv in Weisse’s second catalogue. In the Durchmusterung it is magnitude 9.0.

There is evidently reason  for supposing the star to be variable.

                                                    www.theramblingastronomer.co.uk

The Astronomy Show on Drystone Radio

 Join me, Martin Lunn MBE every Monday evening from 7.00 pm-9.00 pm on the award-winning Astronomy Show on Drystone Radio, probably the only regular astronomy show on any radio station in the country. 

I will take my weekly look at the night sky and look at all the latest news in astronomy. There will be the astronomical anniversaries this week plus the latest news from the astronomical societies in the north of England.

The Astronomy Show every Monday evening only on Drystone Radio live online at www.drystoneradio.com DAB radio in Bradford and East Lancashire, or 102 and 103.5 FM and can also be heard later on the Drystone Radio Podcast.