Armillary sphere

Armillary sphere. The primary sphere consists of eight brass rings. In the centre, there are two mobile arms with small gilt spheres, presumably for the Sun and the Moon, which are attached to the south ecliptic pole. There is a small terrestrial globe mounted on an equatorial pole but is at present unmounted. On the terrestrial sphere, there is a simple outline of continents. 'TASMANIA' is drawn as an island. In the north polar region is a label 'SUPPOSED ARCTIC CONTINENT'. The most southern point in the south polar region is 'Victoria'. Eight oceans are named. Although the Newton name is pasted on, it is not certain that this globe was designed by their firm. This item is incomplete and lacks a stand. For this reason it is not kept in an assembled form. For further information about the cartography and construction of this armillary sphere please refer to the related publication, Globes at Greenwich.

Object Details

ID: AST0615
Collection: Astronomical and navigational instruments
Type: Armillary sphere
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Newton & Co.
Date made: circa 1875
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall diameter: 310 mm; Terrestrial sphere diameter: 65 mm
Parts: Armillary sphere
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