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From the Library: “Radial Velocity of the Andromeda Nebula”
If you were to list the great astronomers of the last century, just based on your own memory, it’s a safe bet that Vesto Slipher would not be a name you come up with. Vesto Melvin Slipher, “V.M.” to most folks, was the head astronomer at Lowell Observatory for over fifty years. If he is…
Read MoreUnprofessional Science
In a previous post, I mention the “professionalization of science,” a cultural shift in which Dudley had a part to play. It immediately raises the question, what exactly does “un-professional science” look like? What came before? We actually have a good example here in the Capitol Region. Most readers will know of the Albany Institute…
Read MoreHarry Raymond (1876-1961)
A great “thank you” to Dorothy Matsui of Redmond, WA, for finding us and sending us material from her grandfather, Harry Raymond. Raymond was an astronomer for Dudley from 1905 until 1939, meaning his career spans the creation of the General Catalog. Raymond’s memoirs will hopefully fill in some of the gaps in our understanding…
Read MoreFrom the Collection: Polsey Clock
This piece is a bit of a mystery. It comes down to us simply as the “Polsey Clock.” Our other clocks come from famous makers, but Polsey is virtually unknown. It’s also very plain, somewhat battered, and missing a few pieces. Still, in its way, it’s the most interesting clock we have. It may be…
Read MoreOdds and Ends: Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Throughout its history, Dudley Observatory has had a weird sort of half-fame. Yes, it’s a modest observatory in smAlbany, but there have been a lot of eyes upon it. Particularly during the early phase, with the initial promise of an observatory that could compete with the best in Europe. As a result, I run into references…
Read MoreFrom the Collection: Meteorites
Dudley has a nice collection of meteorites. Modest is number, but with a good range. Granted, the bulk of them are micrometeorites embedded in some kind of material, but we’ve still got a fair number that are actually visible to the naked eye. To the right is one of my favorite, a slice of a…
Read MoreOrmsby MacKnight Mitchel
Founding of the Cincinnati Observatory (quoted below) The Cincinnati Observatory was founded by Ormsby MacKnight Mitchel, who, as a Professor at Cincinnati College in 1842, generated public enthusiasm for astronomy through a series of public lectures. At that time, there were a few small telescopes in the country, but no organized observatory with a powerful instrument…
Read MoreFrom the Collection: Riefler Clock
While a telescope may be the most valuable piece of equipment found in an observatory, a close second is the clock. Through most of Dudley’s history, the type of astronomical work it was doing required precise, consistent timekeeping. Not surprisingly, Dudley has owned some of the best clocks available. Sometimes they were adventurous attempts at…
Read MoreDr. James Armsby
In a previous post, I mentioned that Dudley had benefited from two institution builders, the first being Ormsby Macknight Mitchel. Mitchel was an energetic founder of observatories and lecturer on the topic of astronomy, and his enthusiasm is likely what started the idea of building the Dudley Observatory. But the person who first gave voice to…
Read MoreThe Poetry of Benjamin Gould
Observatory Lyrics Tom Tom the President Begged Grabbed the money and quickly spent But Jimmy was caught though he was bought And now Tommy’s going to get what he ought. This little bit of doggerel was one of Benjamin A. Gould’s ways of blowing off steam. He would pen a scathing poem directed at whoever…
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