Credit: © The Royal Society
    Image number: RS.10253
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    Equatorial sextant at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich

    Date
    1676
    Creator
    Francis Place (1647 - 1728, British) , Painter
    After
    Robert Thacker (British) , Draftsman
    Object type
    Library reference
    Tracts/X32/4
    Material
    Technique
    Dimensions
    height (print): 230mm
    width (print): 350mm
    Subject
    Content object
    Description
    Exterior scene showing a front view of the 7 foot equatorial sextant with a telescopic sight designed for the old Royal Observatory by John Flamsteed (1646-1719) the first Astronomer Royal. The instrument is on an observing platform which includes writing equipment and below, a clock.

    Plate 4 (right half detail) from Ichnographia speculae Regiae Grenovici exquisite facta (London, 1676) a series of engravings commissioned by Sir Jonas Moore, the leading force in the construction and equipping of the original Royal Greenwich Observatory. The plate bears the inscription: “Facies Sextantis Anterior 7 ped: Rad:.”

    Sir Jonas Moore (1617-1679) mathematician and patron of astronomy was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1674.
    Associated place
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