Heliostat
Heliostat
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- Description
- A heliostat throws sunlight where it might be used for photography or scientific observations. This example has one glass mirror 9.5 cm in diameter, a clockwork mechanism, and a tripod base with leveling screws. The “Gambey à Paris” inscription refers to Henri-Prudence Gambey, a mathematical instrument maker who won a gold medal at the Paris exhibition of 1823 for his heliostat of new construction.
- Ref: D. J. Warner, “Gambey’s American Customers,” Rittenhouse 4 (1990): 65-78
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- heliostat
- date made
- ca 1830
- maker
- Gambey, Henri Prudence
- place made
- France: Île-de-France, Paris
- Measurements
- overall: 22 in; 55.88 cm
- overall: 16 1/2 in x 15 1/2 in x 10 1/4 in; 41.91 cm x 39.37 cm x 26.035 cm
- ID Number
- PH.315645
- catalog number
- 315645
- accession number
- 217544
- Credit Line
- U.S. Military Academy
- subject
- Science & Scientific Instruments
- See more items in
- Medicine and Science: Physical Sciences
- Science & Mathematics
- Optics
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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