World Cup :- English Astronomers are more creative than English Football Players!
Published on 30 Jun 2010 at 00:00.
No Comments.
Filed under Features of Interest.
Wednesday 30th June 2010
World Cup 2010 English players shamed home! but our English astronomers were better!
See the photo of  myself with Meade Lightbridge 16 inch telescope standing behind the Royal Observatory Greenwich at London (Founded in 1675), was one of the key centers of astronomical research in the 18th and 19th centuries, and the workplace of famous historical astronomers such as John Flamsteed and Edmund Halley. The work done here before the time of telescope when telescopes were not used, particularly in the areas of timekeeping and navigation, helped England become a dominant world naval power for more than 200 years.
The air here is thick with astronomical history. The observatory grounds, which is adjacent to the fascinating National Maritime Museum, marks the prime meridian, the great circle of 0 degrees longitude. You can straddle the line separating the eastern and western halves of our globe.
Royal Observatory Greenwich also houses what were most important timepieces in the world… the series of astounding devices created by John Harrison in the 18th century which allowed maritime navigators to accurately determine longitude, making global circumnavigation far safer and more productive.
The observatory also hosts a 28-inch refractor, the largest in the U.K. On July 17-18 2010, you could book ahead get a chance to look through the scope at the Moon or Venus.
More information about :-
Royal Observatory, Greenwich (London)
John Flamsteed (Born in 1646 at Denby, near Derby).
Edmond Halley (Born in 1656 at Haggerston, now Hackney).
John Harrison (Born in 1693 at Foulby, near Wakefield).
