sections > historical > expeditions

arc of the meridian - transit of venus - solar eclipses

Sometimes, the Indiana Jones-element comes to the fore, and the astronomer gathers his things and goes bundu-bashing.

These pages take a look at some of the expeditions that astronomers of the past undertook, often under difficult and dangerous conditions.

The effots by Lacaille, Everest and Maclear to measure the arc of the meridian are discussed in detail.

Future additions will include the various expeditions to observe the transit of Venus over the solar disk, and various solar eclipse expeditions.

Interesting Links:
Link to Objects Lost and / or Found.
Link to a short History of Astronomy in Southern Africa.
Link to a Time Line to see how Events on this page relates to the bigger time dimension.
Link to view the Achievements and other Interesting Aspects of Southern African Astronomers.
Link to the Telescope Manufacturers
Link to the Main Bibliography Section and more information about Sources and the Archive.

Director Historical Section: Chris de Coning - siriusa@absamail.co.za

Webmaster: Christian Hettlage - webmaster@assa.saao.ac.za