Telescope makers
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Note:
This page refers to commercial telescope and instrument manufacturers whose products were in use in Southern Africa. As this region does not have its own manufacturers it was imported. Therefore, although this website is dedicated to the Astronomical History of Southern Africa, the manufacturers discussed here are non-Southern Africa. The exception being the Southern African Astronomical Observatory (S.A.A.O.) who assembled instruments by obtaining components and manufacture / assemble telescopes. Only a brief history of the manufacturers is given.
Southern Africa does have gifted amateur astronomers who produced excellent handmade telescopes. They are discussed under the page handmade.
No references are given on this page, but follow the links to individual instruments to find the sources. A recommended reading list is given at the end
Index:
Individual Manufacturers:
Clark; Cooke; Dollond; Grubb; Herschel; Jones; Mertz; Metcalf; Simms; Troughton; Watson
Amalgamated Companies:
Baker-Nunn; Boller & Chivens; Throughton & Simms; Cooke Throughton & Simms; Cox-Hargreaves; Jena; S.A.A.O.
Individual Manufacturers
Clark
Alvan Clark
Instruments:
Cooke
Instruments:
Dollond
George Dollond was an English telescope maker (1820’s)
Instruments:
Grubb
Owner was Sir Howard Grubb of Dublin. Grubb Parsons of Newcastle in Ireland. (When did they become Grubb Parson, which telescopes were made in what era?) In the late 19th / early 20th Century they produced instruments that were used in many Colonies of the British Empire. Due to the political situation in Ireland at the time, the workers perceived the company as being pro-British and thus stalled construction.
Instruments:
Herschel
The famous father and son combination. They were outstanding astronomers who built their own telescopes. The father, William Herschel, discovered the planet Uranus and compiled a list of double stars and nebulae in the Northern Hemisphere. He also provided the first reasonably accurate scheme of the shape of the Galaxy. The son, John Herschel, came out to Cape Town between 1834 – 38. John set up a catalogue of double stars, nebulae and clusters of the Southern Sky, was a pioneer of photography, and was co-founder and first President of the Royal Astronomical Society.
Unfortunately it is not always clear which instrument was built by William or John, or if it was a combined effort.
Instruments:
Jones
Thomas Jones was an English Telescope maker (1820’s)
Instruments:
Mertz (Merz?)
Mertz of Munchen
Instruments:
Metcalf
Instruments:
Simms
William Simms
Instruments:
Troughton
In the 1820’s Edward Troughton was considered as the foremost astronomical instrument of the time. (In England at least) He designed and made the first instruments that were used at the Royal Greenwich Observatory, a 10 ft Transit Instrument and a 6 ft Mural Circle. Dollond and Jones produced replicas of this instrument for the Cape Observatory.
In 1826 the ageing Troughton entered into a partnership with Simms, known as Throughton and Simms. In 1922 this firm amalgamated with Thomas Cooke to become Cooke, Throughton and Simms.
Instruments:
Watson
Instruments:
Amalgamated Companies
Baker-Nunn
Instruments:
Boller & Chivens
Instruments:
Throughton & Simms
In 1826 the ageing Troughton entered into a partnership with Simms, known as Throughton and Simms. In 1922 this firm amalgamated with Thomas Cooke to become Cooke, Throughton and Simms.
Instruments:
Cooke, Throughton & Simms
In 1826 the ageing Troughton entered into a partnership with Simms, known as Throughton and Simms. In 1922 this firm amalgamated with Thomas Cooke to become Cooke, Throughton and Simms.
Instruments:
Cox-Hargreaves
Different sources state different manufacturers for the telescope known as Cox-Hargreaves. It is either Cox-Hargreaves or Dall-Kirkham.
Instruments:
Jena (Zeis-Ikon?)
German manufacturer
Instruments:
S.A.A.O. (Southern African Astronomical Observatory)
The S.A.A.O. is one of five mayor Astronomical establishments in Southern Africa. Telescopes mentioned here are all stationed at Sutherland. The Observatory itself helped with the design and construction of the telescopes.
Instruments:
APT
S.A.L.T.
Recommended Reading
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