Universal equatorial instrument

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This brass universal equatorial instrument, a 'portable observatory', was made around 1790, probably by John Miller, a scientific instrument maker based in Edinburgh. It was built to the general design of George Adams, the younger.

This portable instrument would have been used by a serious amateur astronomer to make positional measurements of notable objects. A refracting telescope is supported on a series of four arcs, giving measurements to an apparently high degree of accuracy.

In the 1760s, John Miller probably spent some time in the workshop of George Adams, the elder, whose son's books, helped to popularise the 'portable observatory'. The flimsy mounting, however, could not be used for serious astronomical work.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-102-837-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1988.25
• Date: Around 1790
  c. 1790
  
• Material: Brass
  Universal equatorial instrument / portable observatory
  
• Dimensions: 185 mm x 130 mm x 235 mm
  
• What: Universal equatorial instrument / portable observatory
  
• Subject:
• Who: George Adams (Designer)
  George Adams, the younger (Designer)
  John Miller, Edinburgh (Maker)
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: Universal equatorial instrument in brass, made to the general design of George Adams, by John Miller of Edinburgh, c. 1790
  
• 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. p 29 
  • For a general discussion of the portable observatory, see Bennett, J.A. The Divided Circle: A history of instruments for astronomy, navigation and surveying. Oxford: 1987. pp 123-5 
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