Topbar Multimedia Catalogue Virtual Visit Room I - Mathematical instruments in Florence Room II - Foreign mathematical instruments Room III - Tuscan scientific instruments Room IV - Galileo Galilei Room V - Beginnings of telescopic astronomy Room VI - Lenses, prisms, and optical toys Room VII - Spheres and globes Room VIII - Microscopes Room IX - Accademia del Cimento Room X - Meteorology Room XI - Astronomy in Florence go to 2nd Floor
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Room XI. Astronomy in Florence << previous room | next room >>  
Room XI presentation
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Room XI—the logical continuation of Room V—showcases important instruments made for the astronomical observatory of the Museo di Fisica e Storia Naturale of Florence (the "Specola") and the Arcetri Observatory. They illustrate the changes that took place in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in the design, construction, and scientific use of telescopes. These are impressive, complex machines, with ingenious steering systems. By contrast with Room V, reflecting telescopes outnumber refracting telescopes here. There is a burning lens, a gift from Benedetto Bregans to Cosimo III de' Medici. It was used in 1814 by Humphrey Davy for his research on the chemical nature of diamonds. Also worth noting are the high-quality telescopes built by Giovan Battista Amici, director of the Specola.

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Newtonian telescope (Inv. 2707) Newtonian telescope (Inv. 2709) Newtonian telescope (Inv. 2708) Newtonian telescope (Inv. 2710)
Lens (Inv. 2545, 2710/bis) Telescope tube for stellar spectroscopy (Inv. 582) Amici II telescope (Inv. 345) Amici I telescope (Inv. 3795)
Dividing engine (Inv. 3457) Objective lens (Inv. 3397) Dipleidoscope (Inv. 595) Spectroscope (Inv. 1394)
Spectroscope (Inv. 1395) Mobile mount for eyepiece (Inv. 3242) Mobile mount for eyepiece (Inv. 3218) Refracting telescope (Inv. 1464)
Gregorian telescope (Inv. 346) Universal theodolite (Inv. 3796) Repeating circle (Inv. 576) Telescope (Inv. 583)
       
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