Contact goniometer

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A contact goniometer is a device for measuring the inter-facial angles of crystals. (Crystals of the same material always have the same angles between crystal faces.) This English example was made in the early 19th century.

The instrument (pictured in its leather case) consists of a brass protractor with adjustable steel arms to fit the angle between crystal faces, held together by a screw. The base of the protractor is signed 'Cary, London'.

French crystallographer, Rene Just Haiiy (1743-1822) proposed that the external appearance of the crystal's facets was a reflection of its internal structure. He used a contact goniometer of this type.

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• Online ID: 000-100-102-731-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1975.42 C
• Date: Early 19th century
  Early 19th century
  Early 19th century
  
• Material: Brass. Inscription: Cary London
  Brass. Inscription: Cary London
  Red leather
  Case, goniometer
  Goniometer arm
  Protractor, goniometer
  
• Dimensions: 42 mm R
  85 mm L
  
• What: Case, goniometer
  Goniometer arm
  Protractor, goniometer
  
• Subject: 19. MATHEMATICS (Departmental Classification)
  19. MATHEMATICS (Departmental Classification)
  19. MATHEMATICS (Departmental Classification)
  
• Who: Cary (Inscribed on the goniometer)
  Cary (Inscribed on the goniometer)
  Cary, London (Maker)
  Cary, London (Maker)
  Cary, London (Maker)
  
• Where: England, London
  England, London
  England, London
  England, London
  England, London
  
• Event:
• Description: Protractor from a goniometer, signed 'Cary, London', early 19th century
  Two adjustable arms from a goniometer, England, early 19th century
  Leather case for a goniometer, England, early 19th century
  
• References:
  • For Cary, see Clifton, Gloria, Directory of British Scientific Instrument Makers 1550-1851. London: 1995, pp 50-1 
  • Tutton, A. E., Cystallography and Practical Crystal Measurement. London: 1911, p 24 
• Translations:
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