Newtonian secondary mirror

An elliptical plane mirror made as a secondary mirror for a Newtonian reflector telescope. Housed in a tin. Brass mounted, with iron cover not fitting very closely. This flat was probably used with the 20ft telescope before the latter was converted to the front view form.

William Herschel, with help from his brother Alexander and his sister Caroline made a number of these mirrors to go in the telescopes they made to use and to sell.

Object Details

ID: AST0811
Collection: Astronomical and navigational instruments
Type: Newtonian secondary mirror
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Herschel, William
Date made: Unknown
People: Johann Alexander Herschel
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Herschel Collection
Measurements: Overall: 115 mm; Diameter: 80 mm