Telescope

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.

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Online ID:	000-100-102-818-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland T.1984.91
Date:	18th century
Material:
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
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