Browse Items (71 total)

Wooden box measuring 10 cm x 8 cm x2.5 cm, flips open to expose selenium cell. Cell measures 3.0 cm by 5.0 cm. Stebbins described the Giltay selenium cells he and Brown used in the selenium photometer as “Two wires are wound close together in a…

Mahogany wood, brass, silver, glass

Chronometer of 56-hour duration is set in gimbals in a mahogany box. Serial number #2805. John Bliss and Company was active 1857-1956.

Marine chronometer within wood box with hinged lid measuring 7-inches…

The photocell is hand blown glass or quartz. Within in the cell is an alkali metal (lithium, sodium, or potassium) that covers the inside and is a cathode emitting electrons when illuminated. A well insulated wire forming a ring centered in the…

The original medals were donated by Robert Stebbins, grandson of Joel Stebbins, to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Replicas were produced in 2015 for the University of Illinois Observatory.

Draper Medal awarded by the National Academy of…

Wooden box (9 ½ x 7 x 7) with hinge lid, three 2-sided film holders. It takes 2 ¼-inch by 3 ¼-inch glass plates or sheets of film. An air-operated shutter types speeds of 1/10 to 1/90 second in addition to bulb and time. Comes with ground-glass…

Gold medallion in 3.5 inches square leather case with green velvet. interior. Metal approximately 3 inches diameter, made of gold. Front contains left facing profile of Lord Rumford. Reads “Born 1753 * Benjamin Count Rumford * Died 1814.” Back reads…

Three tracings by Warner and Swasey for the University of Illinois.

1) 24 ft. Dome section, tracing B2860, dated April 21, 1896. Stamped with "University of Illinois Observatory."

2) 24 ft. Dome and 12-in Equatorial General Dimensions, tracing…

Color postcard from 1914 showing the south campus. Taken from University Hall looking south. Burrill Avenue is under the trees long the center right. The Auditorium is center. The Observatory is the white dome to the left of the Auditorium.

Paper, metal stand
16-inch Celestial Globe by Denoyer-Geppert Company, Chicago, circa 1956. Blue sky with black and yellow stars, constellation borders, lines, and figures included.

Also a 16-inch celestial globe by George F. Cram's,…

Wood, glass, film

Black rectangular frame with two metal eye hooks on the top. Hung in window, wooden frame, image of moon sandwiched between two pieces of glass and a light diffusor. Illuminates print using light from outside. Seven were made…