Oceanographic instruments and Saturn

Date

1666

Creator

Unknown, Engraver

Creator - Organisation

The Royal Society, Publisher

Object type

print
engraving

Article identifier

10.1098/rstl.1665.0069
10.1098/rstl.1665.0072
10.1098/rstl.1666.0009
10.1098/rstl.1665.0156

Material

paper
ink

Technique

engraving

Dimensions

width (paper): 222mm
height (paper): 335mm

Subject

Earth Sciences
> Oceanography
Astronomy

Content object

scientific environment & equipment
   > instrument
space
   > Solar system
      > planet
         > Saturn

Description

Three figures to issue 9 of the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, including oceanographic instruments and a study of Saturn.

Fig I. Diagram of an instrument for sounding the depth of the sea without a line. Comprising of a large wooden globe and a lead weight below attached with a spring wire. The depth of the sea is calculated on the time taken for the wooden globe to return to the surface of the water.

Fig. II Diagram of an instrument for bringing samples of water to the surface from any depth of the sea. Comprising of a square wooden bucket attached to iron bar with a line at the top and weight at the bottom. Valves on the bucket remain open on the descent into the ocean by the resistance of the sea water and close once the instrument is pulled upwards.

Fig.III Astronomical figure of Saturn observed on 13 October 1665 at Mamhead near Exeter by William Balle. Showing the position of the ring around the planet.

Fig I-II Illustrations to An appendix to the directions for seamen, bound for far voyages published in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, Vol. 1, issue 9 (12 February 1666) pp.147-149. Published again in Directions for observations and experiments to be made by masters of ships, pilots, and other fit persons in their sea-voyages, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, Vol. 2, issue 24 (8 April 1667) pp.433-443. Original drawings can be found in the Classified papers of the Royal Society CLP/20/23 and CLP/20/35. Read at the meeting of the Royal Society on 30 September 1663, Journal Book Original JBO/1/150 and recorded in the Register Book of the Royal Society RBO/2i/70 and RBO/2ii/60. Further copies can be found in the Register Book copy RBC/2/30 and MS/776 pp.482-483.

Fig.III Illustration to Of an observation, not long since made in England, of Saturn published in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, Vol. 1, issue 9 (12 February 1666) pp.152-153. The original paper can be found in the Early letters of the Royal Society EL/B1/108 the figure of Saturn was represented as a paper cutting.

Related fellows

William Balle (1627 - 1690, British) , Astronomer
Robert Hooke (1635 - 1703, British) , Natural philosopher

Associated place

<The World>
> Europe
> United Kingdom

Oceanographic instruments and Saturn

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