Credit: © The Royal Society
Image number: RS.9223
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'Projection of the eclipse of the Sun, October 29, 878, in the time of King Alfred'
Date
January 1882 - March 1882
Creator
Samuel Johnson, FRAS, Astronomer
Object type
Archive reference number
Material
Dimensions
height (drawing): 260mm
width (drawing): 310mm
width (drawing): 310mm
Subject
Content object
Description
Projected appearance of the solar eclipse as viewed from London, using Ferguson’s method of projection. Inscribed with the title above and inscribed “(Total at London)”. Additional notes appear verso, commencing: “Among the medieval eclipses of interest in our own land, this one must have a place. It is just mentioned in the Saxon Chronicle. Tycho Brahe, in the ‘Historia Celestis’ refers to it...”.
Object history
From manuscript "Eclipses of the Sun and Moon 1882-2000", by Samuel J Johnson FRAS (MS/117). Projected drawings of the tracks of solar and lunar eclipses, including Transits of Venus, with supporting descriptive text. In addition to predictive calculations, Johnson includes retrospective drawings of key historical eclipses from 763 BC to 1724 AD. Also included is a letter of presentation from the clergyman and astronomer dated 25 March 1882 written at Melplash Vicarage Bridport, Devon.
Associated place