Drum chronograph
Title
Drum chronograph
Subject
Astronomy
Clocks
Measuring instrument
Time recording device
Furniture
Clocks
Measuring instrument
Time recording device
Furniture
Description
Metal, wood, glass
The chronograph, made by Warner and Swasey, is permanently mounted in the clock room. Includes wooden box (9 ¼ x 6 ¼ x 50 ¾ inches) connected to counter-weights and pulleys attached to the ceiling. It consists of a brass cylinder 7-inches in diameter and 14-inches long onto which paper is attached. The driving mechanism is housed to the immediate left of the cylinder. The driving mechanism consists of a spinning governor for regulation and weights to provide the power. A pen is carried on the armature of an electromagnet through which, when current flows, makes a tick mark on the rotating paper. It is possible to measure the time and duration of an event to a hundredth of a second accuracy (depending on how accurately the clock is set).
The weight driven gears still work although the system needs cleaning. The armature and drum still work. The paint on the chronograph is cracking.
The chronograph is connected to the Observatory’s clocks, which provide tick marks every second, and to a key, usually by a transit telescope. An astronomer hits the key when an event occurs and a tick mark is left on the paper with the second tick marks. By recording events this way astronomers can concentrate on the telescope observations and can read the times from the paper at a more convenient time. The chronograph continued to be use in association with the clocks through the 1960s for timing lunar occultation’s and transits.
The chronograph, made by Warner and Swasey, is permanently mounted in the clock room. Includes wooden box (9 ¼ x 6 ¼ x 50 ¾ inches) connected to counter-weights and pulleys attached to the ceiling. It consists of a brass cylinder 7-inches in diameter and 14-inches long onto which paper is attached. The driving mechanism is housed to the immediate left of the cylinder. The driving mechanism consists of a spinning governor for regulation and weights to provide the power. A pen is carried on the armature of an electromagnet through which, when current flows, makes a tick mark on the rotating paper. It is possible to measure the time and duration of an event to a hundredth of a second accuracy (depending on how accurately the clock is set).
The weight driven gears still work although the system needs cleaning. The armature and drum still work. The paint on the chronograph is cracking.
The chronograph is connected to the Observatory’s clocks, which provide tick marks every second, and to a key, usually by a transit telescope. An astronomer hits the key when an event occurs and a tick mark is left on the paper with the second tick marks. By recording events this way astronomers can concentrate on the telescope observations and can read the times from the paper at a more convenient time. The chronograph continued to be use in association with the clocks through the 1960s for timing lunar occultation’s and transits.
Creator
Warner & Swasey Company
Source
Todd, David P. (1897) A New Astronomy. American Book Company: New York. Page 213.
Publisher
Astronomy Department, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois
Date
1896
Contributor
Michael Svec
Rights
Copyright Michael Svec
Format
image/jpg
Language
English
Type
physical object
Identifier
University of Illinois Observatory Collection A116
University ID 016668, obs36
University ID 016668, obs36
Coverage
University of Illinois Observatory, Urbana, Illinois
Files
Collection
Citation
Warner & Swasey Company, “Drum chronograph,” University of Illinois Observatory Collection, accessed April 23, 2024, https://uiobservatory.omeka.net/items/show/14.