Mammoth skeleton and stars
Date
1808
Creator
S. Porter (British) , Engraver
Object type
Library reference
9183
Material
Technique
Dimensions
height (print): 128mm
width (print): 210mm
width (print): 210mm
Subject
Content object
Description
Anatomical study of the skeleton of a mammoth, side view. With [within the same plate] a star field showing the changing position of the asteroid Vesta, denoted as figures 1-4, and observed by William Herschel in the period 24 April-23 May 1808.
In the accompanying article by Herschel, the author states that: ‘The result of these observations is, that we now are in possession of a formerly unknown species of celestial bodies, which by their smallness and considerable deviation from the path in which the planets move, are in no danger of disturbing, or being disturbed by them; and the great success that has already attended the pursuit of the celebrated discoverers of Ceres, Pallas, Juno and Vesta, will induce us to hope that some further light may soon be thrown upon this new and most interesting branch of astronomy’.
Plate 7, illustrating a paper and a brief notice: ‘Observations on the nature of the new celestial body discovered by Dr. Olbers; and of the comet which was expected to appear last January in its return from the Sun, by William Herschel’ and ‘The Mammoth’, [by Archibald Tilloch?]. The Philosophical Magazine…[edited] by Alexander Tilloch, v.30, (1808) pp.227-232 and p.284.
Inscribed above: ‘Phil. Mag. Vol.XXX. Pl.VII. Skeleton of the Mammoth’. Inscribed within the plate: ‘Dr. Herschel on the planet Vesta’. Inscribed below: ‘S. Porter sc. n9’.
William Herschel (1738-1822) German-born British astronomer was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1781.
Heinrich Wilhelm Matthias Olbers (1758-1840) German physician and astronomer, discoverer of the asteroids Pallas and Vesta, was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1804.
In the accompanying article by Herschel, the author states that: ‘The result of these observations is, that we now are in possession of a formerly unknown species of celestial bodies, which by their smallness and considerable deviation from the path in which the planets move, are in no danger of disturbing, or being disturbed by them; and the great success that has already attended the pursuit of the celebrated discoverers of Ceres, Pallas, Juno and Vesta, will induce us to hope that some further light may soon be thrown upon this new and most interesting branch of astronomy’.
Plate 7, illustrating a paper and a brief notice: ‘Observations on the nature of the new celestial body discovered by Dr. Olbers; and of the comet which was expected to appear last January in its return from the Sun, by William Herschel’ and ‘The Mammoth’, [by Archibald Tilloch?]. The Philosophical Magazine…[edited] by Alexander Tilloch, v.30, (1808) pp.227-232 and p.284.
Inscribed above: ‘Phil. Mag. Vol.XXX. Pl.VII. Skeleton of the Mammoth’. Inscribed within the plate: ‘Dr. Herschel on the planet Vesta’. Inscribed below: ‘S. Porter sc. n9’.
William Herschel (1738-1822) German-born British astronomer was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1781.
Heinrich Wilhelm Matthias Olbers (1758-1840) German physician and astronomer, discoverer of the asteroids Pallas and Vesta, was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1804.
Associated place