Variation of the magnetic needle
Date
25 February 1680
Creator
Unknown, Artist
Object type
Archive reference number
Manuscript page number
p76
Material
Dimensions
height (page): 375mm
width (page): 239mm
width (page): 239mm
Subject
Description
Observation of the variation of the magnetic needle by measuring the angle between the Eltham Steeple and the 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.
This is a copy of the image at RBO/5/223.
This is a copy of the image at RBO/5/223.
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. 0 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