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This volume presents a comprehensive account of the origin, construction and use of the first major astronomical observatory in the southern hemisphere. Technical aspects, such as the instruments and their makers, the installation of the instruments and their initial problems, are described. In addition, the difficulties of founding a scientific institution in a remote colony are discussed in detail.
The book includes a biography of the Cambridge-trained mathematician Fearon Fallows, the Observatory's first Director. The architecture, building methods and construction techniques are analyzed. There is also a wealth of detail on social aspects of life in Cape Town in the 1820s, including slavery and ecclesiastical matters. The book is unusual in the emphasis it gives to the human side of the story.
- It will be of interest to historians of science, astronomers, and historians, particularly of early nineteenth-century South Africa.
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Includes bibliographical references (p. [227]-236) and index.
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- Created April 1, 2008
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April 14, 2010 | Edited by Open Library Bot | Linked existing covers to the edition. |
April 13, 2010 | Edited by bgimpertBot | Added goodreads ID. |
October 20, 2009 | Edited by WorkBot | add edition to work page |
May 4, 2009 | Edited by ImportBot | Found a matching Library of Congress MARC record |
April 1, 2008 | Created by an anonymous user | Imported from Scriblio MARC record |