Selenium cell
Astronomy, photometry
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 double spiral about a flat insulator, and the spaces on one face are filled with selenium which has been properly sensitized.” A photograph of the Giltay cell was included in the 1911 article in Popular Astronomy, “The measurement of the light of stars with a selenium photometer with an application to the variation of Algol.”
The selenium cell photometer is historically significant and was used by Brown and Stebbins starting in 1907. Stebbins met Brown at a physics department open house where Brown ran a demonstration using a selenium cell to ring a bell. That apparatus, and selenium cells housed in a wooden case, are found for sale in Max Kohl catalogs .
Giltay of Delft, Holland
Replacement: Michael Svec donated in 2021 a selenium cell in a wooden box. The cell measures 3 cm x 5 cm and has approximately 18 wires per centimeter which is consistent with the Giltay cell’s that Stebbins bought and used from AB Porter in Chicago, in July 1907 for $20. Stebbins and Brown used at least two Giltay cells numbered 93 and 94. The original cells are lost. This replacement cell does have a resistance that decreases when exposed to light, so it is function.
Circa 1910
English
physical object
University of Illinois Observatory, Urbana, IL
2-day Marine Chronometer
Astronomy
Clocks
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 by 7-inches by 7-inches. Includes a label with University of Illinois in script. A pendulum clock would not work well on an ocean vessel. Knowing the time to within a second was critical for marine vessels to determine their position and navigate. A 19th century marine chronometer used a balance wheel to regulate the time. In addition they were gimbaled within the box to counter the movement of the ship.
A photograph from Oct 5, 1957 shows a box chronometer sitting next to radio receiving equipment that was being used to track Sputnik. Unknown which chronometer but it shows that at least one existed until 1957. Stebbins listed as worth $50 in 1908.
John Bliss & Company, New York
Harvard has an example, serial number 2620 dates 1880s at http://waywiser.fas.harvard.edu/objects/2763/56hour-marine-chronometer
Astronomy Department, University of Illinois, Urbana, Il
Circa 1885
Michael Svec
copyright Michael Svec
English
physical object
University of Illinois Observatory Collection A128
University of Illinois Observatory, Urbana, Illinois
Kunz Photoelectric cells
Astronomy
photometry
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 bulb acts as an anode for collecting the emitted electrons. The inside of the bulb is filled with an inert gas such as helium, neon or argon.
The cell with number 15 (Wisconsin inventory number) bear Stebbins’ number 54. It is a typical glass tube in almost original condition.
The second cell is number 23 in Wisconsin’s inventory and bears Stebbins’ number QK 37-4 indicating it is a quartz tube with potassium hydride as the photo-cathode material. It was produced in 1937. This tube comes in an original cardboard box labeled with QK-37-1 and QK37-4. The box is also historically significant.
Jakob Kunz, University of Illinois Department of Physics
Observatory
On loan from the University of Wisconsin Department of Astronomy.
1915 and 1937
Englsih
physical object
University of Illinois Observatory, Urbana, Il
Replica Medals awarded to Dr. Joel Stebbins
Astronomy
Medal
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 Sciences, 1915. "In recognition of his work on application of the selenium cell to stellar photometry." Medal reads on the back "Presented by the National Academy of Science to Joel Stebbins." 6.8 cm in diameter.
Bruce Medal awarded by Astronomical Society of the Pacific in 1941. "For his many contributions to the field of astronomy through development and application of photoelectric photometry." Medal reads on the back "This medal founded AD MDCCCXCVII by Catherine Wolfe Bruce is presented to Joel Stebbins for distinguished service to astronomy 1941" 6.0 cm in diameter.
Gold Medal awarded by the Royal Astronomical Society in 1950. Conferred in London for his lifetime contributions to astronomy. This is the highest award given by the RAS. 4.7 cm in diameter.
Centennial Medal of the National Academy of Science, in 1963. On the centennial of the founding of the NAS, this medal was awarded to Academy members and medalists of which Dr. Stebbins was both. 7.5 cm in diameter.
Replica medals by Rick Vander Geest, University of Wisconsin Department of Astronomy.
Award of Draper Medal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Vol. 1, No. 5 (May 15, 1915), p. 328
Bruce Medalist: Joel Stebbins: http://physastro.sonoma.edu/BruceMedalists/Stebbins/
Awarding of the RAS medal: http://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-iarticle_query?1950MNRAS.110..179.&data_type=PDF_HIGH&whole_paper=YES&type=PRINTER&filetype=.pdf
Originals at the University of Wisconsin university archives.
2015
Images copyright Michael Svec.
English
physical object
Replicas: University of Illinois Observatory, Urbana, Illinois
Astro-Camera 220 and Duetron double eyepiece
Astronomy
camera
optical instruments
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 focusing back, and extension tube. A air-shutter release, 30 mm f.l. eyepiece and instructions missing. Sold for $69.50 in 1954. Manual online at http://geogdata.csun.edu/~voltaire/classics/unitron/astrocamera220.pdf.
The Duetron double eyepiece sold for $23.40 in 1954.
It was donated to the University by Mrs. Ruth Scott of Chrisman Illinois in 1971 and valued at $70.
Unitron, Bohemia, New York
Info on line at http://www.company7.com/library/unitron/unitron_astro_camera.html
Astronomy Department, University of Illinois
circa 1953
Michael Svec
Copyright, Michael Svec
image/jpg
English
physical object
University of Illinois Observatory collection A238
University of Illinois Observatory, Urbana, Illinois
Rumford Medal
Astronomy
Medal
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 “Rumford medal for discoveries in light or heat” and “Awarded by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences to Joel Stebbins for his development of the Selenium Photometer and its applications in Astronomy 1913.”
Donated to the University by Robert Stebbins, grandson of Dr. Joel Stebbins.
Bigelow Kennard & Company, Boston
Found in the University Archive’s special storage, Joel Stebbins papers, RS 15/3/21.
1913
University of Illinois archives
English
physical object
University of Illinois Observatory, Urbana, Illinois
24 ft Dome and transit house shutter tracings
Astronomy
Architecture
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 B-2859, dated April 20, 1896.Stamped with "University of Illinois Observatory."
3) Transit house shutter, tracing B-2883, Job 6351, dated May 1, 1896. Purchased by Astronomy Department in 1986.
Warner & Swasey, Cleveland Ohio
Astronomy Department, University of Illinois, Urbana
1896
Michael Svec
Copyright, Michael Svec
image/jpg
English
Document
University of Illinois Observatory, Urbana, Illinois
Post card 'View of South Campus University of Illinois'
Astronomy
Campus
Photography
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.
Unknown
Personal collection of Michael Svec
circa 1914
Michael Svec
Pre-1923
image/tif
English
University of Illinois, Urbana
Celestial globe
Astronomy
Globe
Education
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, Indianapolis Indiana.
Denoyer-Geppert Company, Chicago, Illinois
George F. Cram's, Indianapolis Indiana.
University of Illinois
circa 1950s
Michael Svec
Copyright, Michael Svec
image/jpg
English
physical object
University of Illinois Observatory, Urbana, Illinois
Window transparencies
Astronomy
Photography
Furniture
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 locally from transparencies in 1907. On many pictures from the period, you can see the transparencies hanging in the windows in the foyer, and in the south windows of the classroom. One is a black and white photograph of M33. The second is the Moon, specifically Crater Theophilus in center, Mare Nectaris on left. Picture taken with 40-inch refractor at Yerkes Observatory by Ritchey. Published in The Popular Science Monthly, February 1902, page 312 illustration 13.
Unknown
Astronomy Department, University of Illinois, Urbana
circa 1907
Michael Svec
Copyright, Michael Svec
image/jpg
English
physical object
University of Illinois Observatory, Urbana, Illinois