Contributed by Islesboro Historical Society
- MMN #28625
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Description
These were the very instruments used by Reverend Samuel Williams, Professor of Mathematics at Harvard College who, in 1780, made the first scientific observation of a solar eclipse in North America. Dr. Williams ascertained that the eclipse would best be viewed on Islesboro, his actual site being a few hundred yards east of where a granite monument commemorating the event has since been placed. Dr. Williams had to obtain permission to conduct his observation on Islesboro from British officers who controlled Islesboro at that time. The Harvard instruments used by Dr. Williams were brought back to Islesboro in 1980 by professors and students from the university to reenact Williams’s observation of the 1780 eclipse.
About This Item
- Title: 1780 Solar Eclipse Instruments, Islesboro, 1980
- Creation Date: 1980
- Subject Date: 1980
- Location: Islesboro, Waldo County, ME
- Media: Photographic print
- Local Code: 1989.005
- Object Type: Image
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- Astronomical instruments
- Commemorations
- Eclipses
- Historical reenactments
- Natural phenomena
- Scientific equipment
- Telescopes
- Williams, Samuel, 1743-1817
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For more information about this item, contact:
Islesboro Historical SocietyPO Box 301, 388 Main Road, Islesboro, ME 04848
(207) 734-6733
This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. No Permission is required to use the low-resolution watermarked image for educational use, or as allowed by the applicable copyright. For all other uses, permission is required.
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