The astronomical instruments of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries in the museums of the U.S.S.R.

Abstract

The old astronomical instruments kept in the museums of the U.S.S.R. are only now being closely examined, and these investigations, which were begun a few years ago, have not yet been completed. However, the results hitherto obtained are very interesting. A considerable number of the instruments are Oriental astrolabes and quadrants, which in the course of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries were still in use in the Central Asiatic and Trans-Caucasian provinces of Russia. Still more numerous are the sundials of various constructions, which we find in the museums of the U.S.S.R.; these were employed in nearly every region of the country. As far as astronomical telescopes are concerned (these made their appearance in Russia as early as the second decade of the seventeenth century, i.e. very shortly after they were invented), we can find interesting examples in several of the museums; this makes it possible to follow the development of the telescope up to the beginning of the nineteenth century. Some of the museums contain rich collections of astronomical instruments of the eighteenth century: these comprise portable and mural quadrants, transit instruments, meridian circles, etc. Devices for demonstration purposes (celestial globes, armillary spheres, planetaria) form another group of exhibits, amongst which there are many unique items. Supplemented by manuscripts and other literary sources these instruments are a valuable help in tracing the detailed history and development of astronomy and its instrumental aids not only in Russia but also in other countries.