Skip to main content

Astronomy

 Subject
Subject Source: UK Archival Thesaurus

Found in 177 Collections and/or Records:

 File

Nautical astronomy, 1770 - 1810

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 4/196
Scope and Contents

A set of loose pages dealing with problems in ascertaining latitude and longitude at sea by observation of the stars, with descriptions, computations and formulae referred to apparent time. There are also sections on finding the Moon's longitude from the nautical ephemeris [RGO 4/196: 1r], the motion of the Sun's image in a Hadley quadrant [RGO 4/196: 2r], and the testing of other people's hypotheses.
It is not known if the papers are foliated in their original order.

Dates: 1770 - 1810
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).
 File

Navigation tables, 1750 - 1828

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 14/47
Scope and Contents

Undated extended manuscript navigation tables.

Dates: 1750 - 1828
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).
 Series

Nevil Maskelyne: Personal and Family Papers, 1749 - 1950

 Series
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 218
Scope and Contents A collection of papers of Nevil Maskelyne and letters relating to his family, including the extended family (by marriage) of his daughter, Margaret Story-Maskelyne. The collection includes an account and diary of a voyage to India mentioning Nevil Maskelyne and Lord Clive, twelve memoranda books and one account book belonging to Maskelyne, and a catalogue and list of his books. There is also a set of documents relating to the Royal Observatory Greenwich. The letters include...
Dates: 1749 - 1950
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).
 Series

Newspaper cuttings on the RGO and astronomy, 1922 - 1998

 Series
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 190
Scope and Contents A set of press cuttings on the subjects of astronomy, the RGO, its move to Herstmonceux Castle and later to Cambridge, and its subsequent closure. Significant cuttings include coverage of the Moon landings (1968), the Space Race, the Apollo 13 disaster (1970), Halley's Comet (1986), images captured by the Hubble Space Telescope, Comet Shoemaker-Levi’s collision with Jupiter (1994), Comet Hale-Bopp (1997), and the Galileo mission to Jupiter.Early coverage is sporadic, with cuttings...
Dates: 1922 - 1998
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).
 Fonds

Nicholas Saunderson: Lectures

 Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.2977
Scope and Contents

Notes on Sanderson's lectures in the hand of William Haswell. Includes: lectures on hydrostatics, sounds, optics (with others), mechanics, astronomy, tides, technical chronology, and the doctrine of heat and cold. With (fo. 128) copy of letter from James Bate to Hans Deveille, 3 Jan. 1726

Dates: 1725 (Circa)
Conditions Governing Access: 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).
 File

Nicholas Saunderson: Lectures

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.6312
Scope and Contents A series of lectures on the tides and other scientific subjects delivered by Professor Saunderson, 125 folios. On fo. iv is an extract relating to Horace Walpole and Saunderson. The versos are mostly blank, but have occasional diagrams. (Fo. iv) 'T. Aynscough, Coll. Joh. Cant., 1737'; (fo. 1) 'Lectures on the Tides'; (fo. 9) 'Of the Ascent and Suspension of Liquors in Capillary Tubes'; (fo. 19) 'Of the Ascent and Suspension of Mercury in the Barometer'; (fo. 24) 'Of the Prolate Sphaeroidical...
Dates: 1737
Conditions Governing Access: 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).
 Item

Nigel's last service, 19730608

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/1849/FP/272/1/xxxviii
Scope and Contents

There are two letters with the same date: a.) Chapel on Sunday, possibly Nigels' last service, viewed Venus from the bathroom window. b.) Confirmation of Nigel's last service, drinks in the OCR beforehand, with an invitation to Geoffrey Martin to attend a Charlie Chaplin film.

Dates: 19730608
 Item

Note from George B. Airy to Mr Simmons concerning the Transit Circle, 9 May 1870

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.10450/3/4
Content Description From the Fonds: A set of Airy Family papers passed down through the family by Hilda Routh (née Airy), daughter of Astronomer Royal, George Biddell Airy.It includes a set of letters sent to Hida Routh on her honeymoon (from George, her mother Richarda, and sister Christabel Airy), newspaper cuttings primarily relating to George B. Airy, and miscellanea. It also includes three framed items: a photograph of George B. Airy on his 90th birthday and two lithographic prints showing Airy and the Airy...
Dates: 9 May 1870
 Item

Notebook containing notes by Theresa Story-Maskelyne on the letters of Lady Clive, 1850 - 1900

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 218/9/6
Scope and Contents

Preceded by a subject index. The notebook includes biographical notes, notes on letters concerning Urania [Uranus] and comets, and extracts of letters on various topics from cats and carpets to Lady Clive's collection of globes.

Dates: 1850 - 1900
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).
 Item

Notebook on analytic geometry as an introduction to celestial mechanics (under Sir Robert Ball), 1902 - 1906

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0269/DCPP/ADA/1
Scope and Contents

Cover page marked Lent 1902, but includes notes annotated up to 1906. Includes (reverse of p60) blank notepaper of the Honorary Secretary of Cambridge University Cruising Club.

Dates: 1902 - 1906
 File

Observations, 1758 - 1764

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 4/1
Scope and Contents

A rough copy of observations of major stars made in 1758 and on a voyage of 1764. The volume includes adjustments to the barometer and atmospheric conditions, 1758; calculations of star positions; the longitude of various foreign towns; corrections to the sextant and quadrant; and calculations to discover longitude.

Dates: 1758 - 1764
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).
 File

Observations and correspondence, 1786 - 1829

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 14/48
Scope and Contents

Observations and correspondence regarding miscellaneous astronomical matters.

Dates: 1786 - 1829
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).
 File

Observations in the voyage of the Daedalus, 1791 - 1792

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 14/62
Scope and Contents

Astronomical observations and calculations made by William Gooch during the voyage of the Daedalus.

Dates: 1791 - 1792
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).
 File

Observations in the voyage of the Daedalus, 1791 - 1792

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 14/63
Scope and Contents Astronomical observations, rough calculations and notes; many pages are inverted. The volume also includes a number of rough sketches [RGO 14/63: 232v; RGO 14/63: 244v; and RGO 14/63: 377r]; a draft letter [to Lieutenant Hergest] written in English but partly using Greek script concerning a dispute about going on shore near Kealakekua Bay, Hawaii, and Hergest’s accusations that Gooch ‘stole out of the ship’ without speaking to him first [RGO 14/63: 311r-312r]; translations of Polynesian...
Dates: 1791 - 1792
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).
 Series

Observations of the minor planet Eros to determine the solar parallax: papers and records, 1930 - 1941

 Series
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 81
Scope and Contents Records for the 1930-1931 parallax programme of the Royal Observatory Greenwich and Cape Observatory to determine the solar parallax (distance to the Sun) by observations of the minor planet Eros and comparison stars. The records comprise tabulated data sets based on photographic observations taken at Greenwich and at various international observatories (RGO 81/2-48), along with 20 volumes of micrometric measurements of photographic observations of Eros and comparison stars from...
Dates: 1930 - 1941
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).
 File

Observations on a voyage of discovery of the HMS Investigator, 1801 - 1807

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 14/66
Scope and Contents

Astronomical observations, calculations, etc., made during voyages of discovery.

Dates: 1801 - 1807
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).
 File

Observations on HMS Adventure, 1772 - 1774

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 14/57
Scope and Contents

Observations made on board HMS Adventure during her passage to the South Seas as part of the expedition led by Captain James Cook in HMS Resolution.

Dates: 1772 - 1774
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).
 File

Observations on HMS Resolution, 1772 - 1775

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 14/59
Scope and Contents

Observations made on board HMS Resolution during her passage to the South Seas on the expedition led by Captain James Cook.

Dates: 1772 - 1775
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).
 File

Observations on voyages of discovery, 1763 - 1805

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 14/67
Scope and Contents

Astronomical observations and calculations made during voyages of discovery, including the voyages of the Glatton, 1763-1764; the Providence, 1794-1797; the Thetis, 1794-1797; the Pallas, 1805; and on Captain Cook’s third voyage.

Dates: 1763 - 1805
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).
 Series

Overseas Observatories including Saudi Arabian Telescope Project Papers, 1963 - 1985

 Series
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 135
Scope and Contents Files concerning RGO advisory work with overseas observatories, particularly in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Most concern the RGO's involvement with the Saudi Arabia Telescope Project, a project to set up a new National Observatory in Saudi Arabia and a proposed large radio telescope for Riyadh University. There are also two files relating to RGO advisory work with Helwan Observatory and Kottamia Observatory in Egypt, including an inspection of instruments carried out in 1965. The final file...
Dates: 1963 - 1985
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).
 Series

Papers of Alexander Boksenberg, 1981 - 1996

 Series
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 176
Scope and Contents

Records created by Alexander Boksenberg while Director of the Royal Greenwich Observatory, 1981-1996.

The collection is currently uncatalogued. A partial boxlist is available on application to the RGO archivist.

Dates: 1981 - 1996
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).
 Fonds

Papers of Frank McClean

 Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.10348
Scope and Contents Letters, photographs and notebooks of Frank McClean and family. Comprises: student notebook, University of Glasgow, on William Thomson's [Lord Kelvin's] classes in Natural Philosophy, 1854-5; student notebook, Trinity College, Cambridge; letters from Frank McClean to his father, John Robinson McClean, and to his son, William Newsome McClean, serving in South Africa; letters from Ellen McClean to her son, William Newsome McClean, serving in South Africa; pocket diaries; correspondence from...
Dates: 1847 - 1942
Conditions Governing Access: 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).
 Series

Papers of John Franklin-Adams, 1897 - 1909

 Series
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 75
Scope and Contents

Two journals by Franklin-Adams recording his astronomical work from 1897, when he first established an observatory at his house, until 1909, thus covering his time spent mapping the southern heavens at the Royal Observatory, Cape of Good Hope (1902-1904).

Dates: 1897 - 1909
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).
 Series

Papers of 'The Observatory' magazine, 1922 - 1983

 Series
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 84
Scope and Contents The collection comprises an incomplete archive of the business papers of ‘The Observatory’ from 1922 to 1983 (mostly covering 1939-1975). The papers are arranged in four series: financial records, general correspondence and business files, reprints files, and miscellaneous print material. The bulk of the collection consists of editorial correspondence with contributing authors, mainly concerning submissions for publication (RGO 83/2) and reprints (RGO 83/3). Some files include...
Dates: 1922 - 1983
Conditions Governing Access: The provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 apply to many of these records.
 File

Papers on astronomy, 1769 - 1830

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 14/52
Scope and Contents

Correspondence and papers regarding general astronomy, pure mathematics and science in general.

Dates: 1769 - 1830
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).