repsold_helio_7i

Repsold  Heliometer

7  inch (17 cm)

Index:

Summary; History; Current; Technical; Sources; Links; Gallery:

In brief

Important  Contributions:

  • Gill determined the solar parallax (in co-operation with Northern Hemisphere observations) of three minor Planets, Iris; Victoria and Sappho.
  • Gill determined the distances to Southern Hemisphere stars.

Description:
Sir David Gill came to the Cape Observatory and bought with him the Dun  Echt Heliometer. He then decided to procure a larger instrument,  which was the Repsold Heliometer.

Historical Background

Owner:
Cape Observatory.

Where Located:
1887 – ?: Cape Observatory.

Current Information

Present  Location:

Owner:

Status:

Condition:

Technical Details

Type: Reflector / Refractor
Aperture: 7 inch (17,78 cm)
Focal Length:
Mirror / Lens:
Mounting:

  • The  mounting originally carried Gill’s  heliometer.
  • Later  the mounting was used for the 18-inch telescope.

Attachments:
Manufacturer:

Sources

Link to the Main Bibliography Section and more information about Sources.

Documentation:

Pictorial Sources:

Bibliography:

  • Laing,  J.D. (ed.), The Royal Observatory at the Cape of Good Hope 1820 – 1970 Sesquicentennial Offerings, pp.12 – 13; p.31.

Links

Gallery

RepsoldHelio_17c7i_-01a
The Repsold Heliometer. The sketch is part of a compilation of sketches concerning the Cape Observatory.
Published by “The Graphic”, 27 August 1892. Courtesy of Africana Museum, Johannesburg. Source: Moore.