Transit Telescope - Portable, 3.25-inch, Troughton & Simms, London, circa 1850

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Where is it from?

A User Melbourne, Australia
B Maker London, United Kingdom
C Place & Date Used Williamstown, Australia
D User South Yarra, Australia

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Transit Telescope - Portable, 3 1/4 inch,Troughton & Simms, circa 1850

Summary:: Portable transit telescope, 3.25 inch aperture, 42 inch focus, made by Troughton & Simms, London, circa 1850.

This instrument was transferred from the Victorian Survey Department to Williamstown Observatory in 1854, and was the primary transit instrument used at Williamstown Observatory until an instrument of 5 inch aperture was acquired in 1861. The instrument was used as a portable transit during the Geodetic Survey of Victoria, conducted under the supervision of Government Astronomer Robert Ellery.

In 1867 the instrument was loaned to Charles Todd at the Adelaide Observatory, who used it for measuring the longitude difference between Melbourne and Adelaide Observatories, and for fixing the boundary between South Australia and New South Wales. Todd returned it to the Melbourne Observatory in 1897.
Description:: Brass, with 2 brass supports.
Acquisition Information:: Transfer from Melbourne Observatory, 1945

Discipline:	Technology
Dimensions:	70 cm (Width), 120 cm (Length)

More information

Tagged with:	astronomical instruments, geodetic surveys, telescopes
Themes this item is part of:	Positional Astronomy at Melbourne Observatory, Williamstown Observatory, 1853-1863, Troughton & Simms, Instrument Makers, Geodetic Survey of Victoria, 1858-1872, Melbourne Observatory Collection, Science & Measurement Collection, Great Melbourne Telescope, Robert Lewis John Ellery, Astronomer & Scientist (1827-1908), Weights & Measures at Melbourne Observatory, Melbourne Observatory & Standard Time in Victoria, Melbourne Observatory & Standard Time in Victoria, Mapping the Stars at Melbourne Observatory, Astrographic Catalogue, Transits of Venus, 1874 & 1882, Buildings at Melbourne Observatory, Star Observations & Personal Equation, Meteorology at Melbourne Observatory, 1863-1908, Meteorology at Melbourne Observatory, 1863-1908, Melbourne Observatory, 1863-1944, Melbourne Observatory, 1863-1944
Primary Classification:	ASTRONOMY
Secondary Classification:	Research
Tertiary Classification:	telescopes
Inscriptions:	Marked 'S.G.O. 100'. S.G.O. stands for Surveyor General's Office.
Maker:	Troughton & Simms, London, Middlesex, England, Great Britain, circa 1850
Place & Date Used:	Williamstown Observatory, Williamstown, Victoria, Australia, 1854-1863
User:	Victoria: Geodetic Survey of Victoria, Victoria, Australia, 1854-1867
User:	Mr Robert Ellery, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1854-1867
User:	Melbourne Observatory, South Yarra, Victoria, Australia, 1863-1867
User:	Adelaide Observatory, South Australia, Australia, 1867-1897 See 5th Report of Government Astronomer, Melboure Observatory, 1859.