Telescope

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This reflecting telescope was made in the 18th century, possibly by Edward Scarlett, an eminent scientific instrument maker who was based in London between 1705 and 1743.

This three-and-a-half inch aperture reflecting telescope, although unsigned and undated, is probably amongst the earliest surviving commercially-produced London-made instruments of this sort.

James Gregory was one of the first to exploit the mathematical equivalence of mirrors and lenses as optical imaging systems. His design of a reflecting telescope in 1663 demonstrated the clear potential of reflectors.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-102-818-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1984.91
• Date: 18th century
  
• Material: Telescope, reflecting
  
• Dimensions: 3.50" aperture
  
• What: Telescope, reflecting
  
• Subject: 22. PHYSICS, Light (Departmental Classification)
  
• Who: Edward Scarlett, England (Maker)
  
• Where: England, London
  
• Event:
• Description: 3 1/2" aperture Gregorian reflecting telescope by Edward Scarlett, London, 18th century
  
• References:
  • For Scarlett, see Clifton, Gloria, Directory of British Scientific Instrument Makers 1550-1851. London: 1995, pp 244-5 
• Translations:
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