Willis Pendulum Astrolabe
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Optical instrument
Measuring instrument
The Willis Pendulum Astrolabe was used primarily by the armed forces to determine latitudes and longitudes. The astrolabe is stored in a large green wooden box. It is marked “PENDULUM ASTROLABE David White Co. Milwaukee Wisc USA, No. 65649, M-5107, 1952, U.S.” The instrument was invented by John Willis> The advantage of the Willis pendulum was that it used a mirror instead of mercury as a reflecting surface. It was able to measure position on earth to within 20 feet. The David White Company was founded in 1895 and continues to provide precision optical tools used in surveying.
David White Company
University of Illinois, Astronomy Department, Urbana
Circa 1952
Michael Svec
Copyright Michael Svec
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University of Illinois Observatory, Urbana, Illinois
Sextant
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Wood, metal, glass
Wood box, 9 7/8 x 9 7/8 x 5 ½ inch, with hinged lid, two hook latches and metal handle. Maker’s laminated paper label and university ID tag on inside. While the last inspection date on this sextant is 1939, the last sextant made with the Brandis label was 1932.
Black metal frame with wood handle. Maker’s no. 5071, also includes US Navy no. 2696, Navy certificate dated 9/18/1939. On index arm is “Brandis & Sons, Brooklyn” Included 3 black painted telescopes, vernier read with swivel magnifying lens, tangent screw and clamping arms on index arm, and threaded telescope bracket .
Brandis & Sons, Brooklyn, New York
Astronomy Department, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois
circa 1939
Michael Svec
Copyright Michael Svec
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English
physical object
University of Illinois Observatory, Urbana, Illinois
Sextant
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Wood, metal, glass
Black aluminum frame, wood handle, one telescope, no filters, micrometer wheel on vernier scale, arc is black with white engraved scale from 0 to 140. Marked on index arm “U.S. Navy Bureau of Ships ETS Sextant, Mark 2 Mod 0 28012 1943, type no 3052-1-A”.
Bendix Aviation Co., Eclipse-Pioneer division, Teterboro, New Jersey
Astronomy Department, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois
circa 1943
Michael Svec
Copyright MIchael Svec
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English
physical object
University of Illinois Observatory, Urbana, Illinois
Sextant and artificial horizon
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Wood, metal, glass
Sextant:
Wooden box with hinged lid, inside includes Keuffel & Esser paper label and “obs 15” mark. Sextant matched with artificial horizon A214.2.
Black metal frame, wood handle, silver scale, maker marked on index arm, 2 telescopes, long tangent screw, 2 lens cap filters, reading lens for vernier, 4 index filters and 3 horizon filters. No 22872, maybe model 5225.
Artificial Horizon:
Box has hinged lid with two latches, broken leather handle, is marked with a maker tag, number 5 and University id tag and with a University police evidence tag from 1981. Bronzed brass roof with greenish color, measured 8 ¾ x 7 3/8 x 4 ½ inch high, fine plane glass 2 ¾ x 4 1/8, iron mercury bottle with threaded stopper and funnel top. Iron mercury trough with thread for funnel and lip. Polished mahogany case. In the Keuffel & Esser catalog #5250 on page 412, cost $35 .
Keuffel & Esser Company, New York
Keuffel & Esser Co. (1913). Catalogue and price list of Keuffel& Esser co, manufacturers and importers of drawing materials and surveying instruments. Keuffel & Esser Co: New York.
Astronomy Department, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois
circa 1913
Michael Svec
Copyright Michael Svec
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English
physical object
University of Illinois Observatory, Urbana, Illinois
Bubble sextant
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Wood, metal alloy, plastic
Marked property Air Force-US Navy, type A-10A. Probably WW II era. Blackened aluminum casting, containing clockwork, lenses, mirrors, buddle level, and rubber eyecup. In fitted wooden box. A small rugged aircraft sextant for military use.
Fairchild Camera and Instrument Corporation, New York
Astronomy Department, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois
circa 1944
Michael Svec
Copyright Michael Svec
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English
physical object
University of Illinois Observatory Collection A207
University ID 16800-16805
University of Illinois Observatory, Urbana, Illinois
Compass
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There are three Astro Compass Mark II, in green wooden boxes with canvas handles. It can be pointed at a known star, including the sun, and used to indicate true north. Manual included.
Sperti Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio
Astronomy Department, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois
circa 1943
Michael Svec
Copyright Michael Svec
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English
physical object
University of Illinois Observatory Collection A231.1, 231.2, 231.3
University of Illinois Observatory, Urbana, Illinois
Reflection horizon
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Black glass ground plane surface, 3 3/8 diameter, 3 leveling screws, fine graduated adjustable spirit level, and mahogany case.
In the 1913 Keuffel & Esser catalog (page 413) the reflecting horizon cost $16. The reflecting horizon is an alternative to the mercury artificial horizon and is used with a sextant when the horizon is not visible.
Keuffel & Esser Company, New York
Keuffel & Esser Co. (1913). Catalogue and price list of Keuffel& Esser co, manufacturers and importers of drawing materials and surveying instruments. Keuffel & Esser Co: New York.
Astronomy Department, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois
about 1915
Michael Svec
copyright Michael Svec
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English
physical object
University of Illinois Observatory Collection A226.1, 226.2
University ID 016680 obs142, 016682 obs144
University of Illinois Observatory, Urbana, Illinois
Marine sextant
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In the Keuffel & Esser catalog , model 5224D on page 410, cost, $80. Paper label includes model 5224D and serial number 42046. Gun-metal, measuring angles up to 130 degrees, radius 6-in graduated on solid silver to 20 minutes, vernier to 30 seconds. Clamp and transit screw to vernier. Mounting reading lens (missing), 1 plain sighting tube, 1 inverting telescope, 1 star telescope, 2 neutral glasses, 7 neutral glasses to sextant, polished mahogany case with lock. Box has hinged lid, two latches, lock, inside maker label and “obs 143” mark, paper label “2” on exterior.
Keuffel & Esser, New York
Keuffel & Esser Co. (1913). Catalogue and price list of Keuffel& Esser co, manufacturers and importers of drawing materials and surveying instruments. Keuffel & Esser Co: New York.
Astronomy Department, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois
About 1915
Michael Svec
Copyright Michael Svec
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English
physical object
University of Illinois Observatory Collection A234
University ID 016681, obs143
University of Illinois Observatory, Urbana, Illinois
Double frame bridge sextant
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Wood, metal, glass
Fitted keystone wood box with hinged lid and two hook latches. Black metal frame with brass screws, silver scale and wood handle. Includes 3 black painted telescopes, 1 eyepiece cover, 8-½ inch radius, eyepiece to read vernier, signed on brass radius “M. Berge London.” Matthew Berge worked in London 1800 until his death in 1820. Since it was not listed by Stebbins in 1906 and considering its age, this might be a later donation to the department.
Matthew Berge, London
Astronomy Department, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois
pre-1820
Michael Svec
Copyright Michael Svec
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English
physical object
University of Illinois Observatory Collection A232
University of Illinois Observatory, Urbana, Illinois
Sextant and artificial horizon
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Wood, metal, glass
Metal black frame with wood handle and silver scale. Horizon mirror is broken, includes 4 index filters, 3 horizon filters, 3 brass telescopes, 2 lens caps, wooden handle, 6” radius on scale, maker and model 4323 marked on index arm, vernier read by magnify lens.
Box is 9 5/8” x 9 5/8” x 5 ¼” with hinge top, two latches, lock, marked “obs 14,” with metal handle.
Acquired in exchange for small Fauth chronograph. Saegmuller joined Bausch and Lomb. In 1905, the company included all three names until 1907.
The artificial horizon:
Wood, metal, glass
In the Astronomy department is the box with the cover, marked Fauth & Co. Box is 8 3/8” x 6 ¼” x 5 ¾”, dove tails visible, 2 hook latches, exterior university id tag plus paper label #6 .. Both the tray and bottle are corroded. Wind shield is greenish metal and glass. A
The artificial horizon was used with sextant to determine the altitude of objects when the true horizon was not visible. They most commonly consist of a trough, bottle with mercury, and a wind shield consisting of two panes of glass at right angles to the observer’s line of sight. It was used by viewing the sun or star directly and then again in the reflection of the mercury surface. You would then have two measurements can could divide by two. In the Saegmuller catalog (page 63) it cost $30.
Bausch, Lomb, Saegmuller Company and Fauth Company
Astronomy Department, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois
1906
Michael Svec
Copyright Michael Svec
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English
physical object
University of Illinois Observatory Collection A119.1
University ID 016654, obs14
University of Illinois Observatory, Urbana, Illinois