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Description: | "Fra Watkins, Charing Cross London"
This is a portable Gregorian reflector telescope by Francis Watkins, an instrument maker based in Charing Cross, London, from 1746-1782. The expedition by Captain James Cook to view the 1769 transit of Venus from Tahiti included a Gregorian telescope by Watkins of 18-inch focal length among its equipment. However, this type of instrument was also sought-after by wealthy individuals with an interest in astronomy.
The telescope's barrel is made of brass and has a smaller sighting telescope on the top. There are primary and secondary specula within the tube, with the latter focused via a screw thread and rod attached to the side of the barrel. The telescope is mounted on a brass pillar and has three collapsible claw legs, and has adjustable inclination and rotary movement.
caption: Portable reflector telescope
caption: Portable reflector telescope - inscription | Publisher: | "http://collections.rmg.co.uk/" | Rights holder: | "Royal Museums Greenwich" | Subjects: | Gregorian telescope Domestic astronomical telescopes Reflecting telescope Watkins & Smith reflecting telescopes | Source: | Royal Museums Greenwich | Identifier: | http://collections.rmg.co.uk/collections... | Go to resource |
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