Record

Telescope

< 1 of 1 > Back

made in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire

Postcard of Telescope.
000-100-102-795-C
© National Museums Scotland

Telescope

This telescope was made around 1860 by Thomas Morton, a carpet machinery maker and scientific instrument maker based in Kilmarnock in East Ayrshire. The curved rack governing the angle of the telescope is a striking feature of Morton's telescope design.

The reflecting telescope has speculum metal optics and a long external focusing rod. The mirror retention plate is stamped 'THOS. MORTON. H.M.R.S.S.A. [Honorary Member of the Royal Scottish Society of Arts] / KILMARNOCK/ 1860'.

Thomas Morton's interest in telescope construction led him to study astronomy. In 1818, he built an astronomical observatory in Kilmarnock, furnished with instruments which he had made, and which was open to the public.


Record details

To search on related items, click any linked text below.

Online ID: 000-100-102-795-C
Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
Project: 0098: National Museums Scotland
Project description | View all records in project
Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1981.39
Date: 1860
Around 1860
Material: Brass. Inscription: THOS. MORTON. H.M.R.S.S.A. [Honorary Member of the Royal Scottish Society of Arts] / 1860
Dimensions: 505 mm L x 103 mm D
What: Telescope, reflecting
Subject: 22. PHYSICS, Light (Departmental Classification)
Who: Arthur Frank Collection of Scottish Scientific Instruments
Thomas Morton, Kilmarnock (Maker)
Where: Scotland, Ayrshire, Kilmarnock
Event:
Description: 14" focus Gregorian reflecting telescope in brass with speculum metal optics, 1" finder telescope, and on a sector shaped wooden turntable base, signed by Thomas Morton of Kilmarnock, 1860
References:
  • Clarke, T.N., Morrison-Low, A.D. & Simpson, A.D.C. Brass & glass scientific instrument making workshops in Scotland as illustrated by instruments from the Arthur Frank Collection at the Royal Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh: NMS, 1989. pp 190-1,193,195 
  • T.N. Clarke, A.D. Morrison-Low and A.D.C. Simpson (1989): "Brass and Glass 
Translations:
Related Records:
< 1 of 1 > Back
 
Powered by Scran