Flamsteed's well telescope.

Repro ID: A5192_1

Description: In the garden behind the Meridian Building a circle of bricks marks the spot where Flamsteed sunk his well telescope. It is easy to forget how basic telescope technology was in the later 17th century. The structure of Flamsteed's well telescope demonstrates some of the problems. A very long tube provides a longer focal length and the possibility of a better image. Flamsteed reckoned that a telescope with a very long tube (90 ft/27.4 m in this instance) would solve some of his problems. Unfortunately, a very long tube is unsteady and it seems likely that the well telescope may have been abandoned because the tube was too 'wobbly' to project a clear image.

Creator: Francis Place (engraver)

Date: c.1676

Credit line: National Maritime Museum, London