Skip to main content

The Royal Observatory, showing the Sheepshanks (centre) and Great Equatorial (right) Domes, 1880-07

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 116/5/10
The Royal Observatory, showing the Sheepshanks (centre) and Great Equatorial (right) Domes
The Royal Observatory, showing the Sheepshanks (centre) and Great Equatorial (right) Domes

Scope and Contents

Watercolour illustration by Christabel Airy; dated and signed with her initials. This view of the Observatory buildings is the latest of the Christabel Airy paintings in the RGO Archives.

To the bottom centre left is the bay window on the southern side of the Computing Room (a rare view of this feature). Behind this, before the small gateway, is the Transit Room. To the right is the Meridian Garden, laid to lawn and with ornate flowerbeds. Behind the lawn to the left, the gateway leads from the garden to the South East or ‘Great Equatorial’ Dome. Another painting by Christabel Airy dated 1863, shows a closer view from this garden of the gateway and dome [RGO 116/5/7]. The South East Dome, finished in 1857, housed the Great Equatorial Telescope [http://collections.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/10181.html]. Behind this, the roof of Sheepshanks Dome can be seen.

Dates

  • Creation: 1880-07

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

From the Management Group:

Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).

Extent

1 item(s) (1 watercolour) : Paper

Language of Materials

English

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

360 x 450 mm

Bibliography

For a brief history of the Meridian Garden, see http://www.royalobservatorygreenwich.org/articles.php?article=970. For the Great Equatorial Building, see http://www.royalobservatorygreenwich.org/articles.php?article=919.

Finding aid date

2014-10-14 14:41:09+00:00

Repository Details

Part of the Cambridge University Library Repository

Contact:
Cambridge University Library
West Road
Cambridge CB3 9DR United Kingdom