Nevil Maskelyne and the global projects of 18th-century astronomy – online only

Note: Online Only

Talk by Dr Rebekah Higgitt, Principal Curator of Science at National Museums Scotland.

Focusing on the career and connections of the Fifth Astronomer Royal, Nevil Maskelyne, this talk will look at what astronomy was for in the 18th century. From his early voyage to St Helena to his long years at Greenwich, Maskelyne was an internationally significant figure who was involved with all the key astronomical projects of his time. The talk will be illustrated with images of instruments at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, and archives of the Board of Longitude and the Maskelyne family, recently made available at Cambridge Digital Library.

We will also have the Sky in January from Alan Pickup and the results of our first Image of the Quarter Competition for ASE members.

ASE members will be on Zoom, visitors please join us on YouTube.