Book Review: Touring Observatories in 1777: An Observer of Observatories: The Journal of Thomas Bugge's Tour of Germany, Holland and England in 1777

Abstract

TOURING OBSERVATORIES IN 1777 An Observer of Observatories: The Journal of Thomas Bugge's Tour of Germany, Holland and England in 1 777. Edited by Peter de Clercq and Kurt M0ller Pedersen (Aarhus University Press, Aarhus, 2010). Pp. 220. euro40.95. ISBN 978-87-7934311-5.Sometimes an exceptional traveller catches scene before its permanent change. In the 1770s Britain was unrivalled in astronomy and in the making of precision instruments. Thomas Bugge's journey in 1777 preceded the great specialization of sciences and the rise of the German instrument industry.Thomas Bugge (1740-1815) was appointed professor of mathematics and astronomy at the University of Copenhagen in January 1777. At the age of 37, an accomplished astronomer and surveyor, he inherited the observatory built in 1643 upon the great Round Tower. The king donated about £1,400 to refurbish it. Seeking to ascertain best practice, Bugge traversed Germany onward to Holland where he visited two observatories, and England where he visited nine.In Holland Bugge found that local artisans had mastered the theory of achromatic lenses and made telescopes. Leiden University extended every courtesy, but their observatory of 1 633 was an inadequate facility on top of the Academy building, with old instruments and two poor clocks. Bugge is never judgemental of work attempted, but he found no inspiration in Holland.Thence to London, where King George UJ's fascination with science and gadgets prompted patronage of artists, where the longitude prize had stimulated precision clock making, and where the Royal Observatory, Royal Society and number of wealthy astronomers rewarded excellence. Bugge enjoyed meeting the leading instrument makers and gauging their relative ingenuity. He was profoundly interested in philosophical instruments - mathematical, physical, optical, electric, magnetic; this was feast, and he had money in his pocket.Bugge visited the King's Observatory completed in 1768 in Richmond Park, purpose-designed stand-alone building. On the first floor was instrument by George Adams. In another room was very good 8-ft mural quadrant by Jonathan Sisson 1770, two clocks, and an excellent zenith sector. He saw the immense collection of physical instruments constantly increased by the makers patronized by the King. In London Bugge was impressed by Alexander Cumming's observatory above his watch- and instrument-making shop. He had a beautiful transit by Jesse Ramsden, with achromatic telescope. He noted many details of its construction and adjustment. Not least was regulator with temperature compensating mercury pendulum. Sisson showed him model of Nathaniel Pigott's new observatory in Glamorgan to house Sisson currently in his workshop, 6-ft Dollond achromat, and two mural quadrants. Bugge drew plan and made detailed sketches of the instrument before him. …