Telescope

“The following description of a section of Lord Rosse’s telescope, though not so perfect as could be desired, is the best we could obtain. it exhibits a view of the inside of the eastern wall, with the tube, and machinery by which it is moved. A is the mason-work on the ground; B the universal joint, which allows the tube to turn in all directions; C the speculum in the tube; E the eye-piece through which the observer looks; F a pulley by which the tube is moved; H a chain attached to the pulley, and to the side of the tube; I, a chain running to K, the counterpoise; L, a lever connecting the chain M with the tube; Z another chain which passes from the upper part of the tube over a pulley at W, (not seen) and crosses to the opposite wall; X a railroad on which the speculum is drawn either to or from the tube. The dotted line H, shows the course of the weight R, as the tube rises or falls. The tube is moved from wall to wall by a ratchet wheel at R, which is turned by the lever O, on the circle N, the ends of which are fixed in the two walls.” —Comstock, 1850

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