Variation of the magnetic needle
Date
4 March 1680
Creator
Unknown, Artist
Object type
Archive reference number
Manuscript page number
p223
Material
Dimensions
height (page): 358mm
width (page): 230mm
width (page): 230mm
Subject
Description
Observation of the variation of the magnetic needle by measuring the angle between the Eltham Steeple and Royal Observatory, Greenwich (Sextant House) by John Flamsteed on 19 December 1676. The letter with this observation was probably sent to Thomas Gale as secretary of the Royal Society. It was read at the meeting on 4 March 1680.
Object history
At the meeting of the Royal Society on 4 March 1680, ‘There was likewise entered the following paper: December 19, 1676, hor. 8 hours, 9 min. o sec. in the morning, the sun’s following limb was in the same azimuth with Eltham steeple’ (Birch 4:23). The text is printed in Birch 4:23-24.
Related fellows
John Flamsteed (1646 - 1719, British) , Astronomer
Associated place