ASE member Dr Bruce Vickery has researched, written about and lectured many times about the history of astronomy in Edinburgh including Calton Hill in particular. In this series of short articles, written originally for our weekly newsletters, he tells us of the beginnings and development of astronomy in Edinburgh, the key characters and the history of the Calton Hill Observatory. There are also a number of other articles on related, historical topics.
The timing of this series comes as the Astronomical Society of Edinburgh, which has played a key role in Edinburgh astronomical life, reaches 100 years of age in 2024, having been formed on 15 October 1924.
1. The development of astronomy in Edinburgh – Colin MacLaurin
ASE member Dr Bruce Vickery is one of our historical experts and is beginning a series for our weekly newsletters about the development of astronomy in Edinburgh. He starts this week with the story of Colin MacLaurin.
2. Thomas Short and Calton Hill
The next in the Development of astronomy in Edinburgh series from Bruce Vickery. This time about Optician, Thomas Short.
3. The gestation of the observatory on Calton Hill
The next phase of Bruce Vickery's story of Edinburgh astronomy covers the beginnings of the buildings and instruments.
4. William Wallace 23/09/1768 – 28/04/1843
A famous name but a Professor of Mathematics takes on the story in Bruce's next instalment
5. Thomas Henderson 28/12/1798 – 23/11/1844
Thomas Henderson becomes first Astronomer Royal for Scotland and Director of the Royal Observatory of King George IV on Calton Hill
6. A Celebration
The story continues with the colourful Charles Piazzi Smyth, second Astronomer Royal for Scotland
7. An Enduring Legacy
Piazzi Smyth instigates two new important aids for mariners, the Time Ball and Time Gun, still in operation today.
8. Tenerife – an Experiment
Piazzi Smyth's mountaintop experience proves Newton right and explains why we build observatories at high altitude now.
9. Meteorology
One of Piazzi Smyth's many strong interests was meteorology, something he took very seriously.
10. Pyramidology
One of Piazzi Smyth's more "colourful" interests was in Pyramidology, not something universally welcomed.
11. A Gold Medal
A Gold Medal was the reward for Piazzi Smyth's skill and precision, not his views on Pyramidology.
12. A Prize
Piazzi Smyth's liked to be at the frontiers of his science, embracing the world of Spectroscopy, for which he was awarded a prize.
13. Apex of the Sun’s motion
No description of Piazzi Smyth’s researches would be complete without mention of the Apex of the Sun’s motion.
14. Ralph Copeland
The story moves to Blackford Hill with third Astronomer Royal for Scotland, Ralph Copeland.
The National Monument
Have you ever wondered how the view of the National Monument from Princes Street came about? Well it is “Thanks to Astronomy”.
The Two-faced Clock on Calton Hill
This clock was used by mariners to set their Chronometers to the correct time.
Acquisition of the Main Transit Instrument on Calton Hill
“Decidedly the finest Instrument of the kind in Britain” with glass by Joseph von Fraunhofer.