'Encke’s Comet’
Date
1851
Creator
James Basire III (1796 - 1869, British) , Engraver
Object type
Library reference
R63992
Material
Technique
Dimensions
height (print): 298mm
width (print): 228mm
width (print): 228mm
Subject
Description
Telescopic view of Encke’s Comet, from the observatory at Hartwell House, Buckinghamshire, England.
Plate 13 from the book Aedes Hartwellianae, or notices of the manor and mansion of Hartwell, by W.H. Smyth (London, 1851). Inscribed above right: ‘Plate XIII’ Inscribed below: ‘ENCK’S COMET. As seen at its re-appearance on the 22nd of September 1848. At the Hartwell Observatory. J. Basire sc.’.
The accompanying text states that the comet was observed by Charles Piazzi Smyth using the Hartwell House telescope. ‘…it appeared only as a dull nebulous spot about three minutes in diameter, a little condensed towards the centre, and shaded off indefinitely at the edges.’
John Lee [formerly Fiott] (1783-1866) British antiquary and astronomer was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1831.
William Henry Smyth (1788-1865) British naval officer and surveyor was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1826.
Charles Piazzi Smyth (1819-1900) British astronomer was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1857.
Plate 13 from the book Aedes Hartwellianae, or notices of the manor and mansion of Hartwell, by W.H. Smyth (London, 1851). Inscribed above right: ‘Plate XIII’ Inscribed below: ‘ENCK’S COMET. As seen at its re-appearance on the 22nd of September 1848. At the Hartwell Observatory. J. Basire sc.’.
The accompanying text states that the comet was observed by Charles Piazzi Smyth using the Hartwell House telescope. ‘…it appeared only as a dull nebulous spot about three minutes in diameter, a little condensed towards the centre, and shaded off indefinitely at the edges.’
John Lee [formerly Fiott] (1783-1866) British antiquary and astronomer was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1831.
William Henry Smyth (1788-1865) British naval officer and surveyor was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1826.
Charles Piazzi Smyth (1819-1900) British astronomer was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1857.
Related fellows
John Lee (1783 - 1866) , Antiquary
William Henry Smyth (1788 - 1865, British) , Naval officer
Charles Piazzi Smyth (1819 - 1900, British) , Astronomer
William Henry Smyth (1788 - 1865, British) , Naval officer
Charles Piazzi Smyth (1819 - 1900, British) , Astronomer
Associated place