Terrestrial and celestial pocket globe

Terrestrial and celestial pocket globe. Geographical details on the terrestrial sphere show the location of the 'Antipodes of London'. Tasmania is depicted as an island, and the west coast of America is labelled 'Vancouvers Disc'. The south polar region is empty. West of America, there is a solar declination scale in the shape of an '8', to replace the ecliptic, which is labelled. In the South Pacific Ocean additional information is provided. Eight oceans are named.

Astronomical details on the inside of the case show a few star configurations around the zodiac, and six individual stars are labelled. In the centre of the hemisphere is a picture of the Sun, and centred round it the solar system and the Milky Way are depicted. The solar system includes the recently discovered planet Uranus, labelled here Herschal, which is represented with six satellites.

This pocket globe differs from earlier ones by the mounting, since pocket globes made in the 18th century are without a meridian and horizon ring. For full details about the cartography and construction of this globe please refer to the related publication.

Object Details

ID: GLB0058
Collection: Astronomical and navigational instruments; Charts and maps
Type: Pocket globe
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Newton
Date made: 1816
People: Vancouver, George
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Caird Collection
Measurements: Diameter: 99 mm; Diameter of sphere: 76 mm
Parts: Terrestrial and celestial pocket globe