Record

RefNoCLP/8ii/44
LevelItem
TitlePaper, 'A spirit level to be fixed to a quadrant for taking a meridional altitude at sea when the horizon is not visible' by John Hadley
Date1733
DescriptionHadley states that 'The necessity of seeing the horizon, in order to find the latitude of a ship at sea, has always been so great an inconvenience. Any method for determining it without the help of the horizon, will be of considerable use.' His spirit level consists of a glass tube bent into a curved shape, 'containing such number of degrees as will be most suitable to the degree of exactness with which the observation can be made', and filled with liquid.

Subject: Astronomy / Navigation / Scientific apparatus and equipment

Read to the Royal Society on 10 January 1733

Published in Philosophical Transactions as 'A spirit level to be fixed to a quadrant for taking a meridional altitude at sea, when the horizon is not visible'
LanguageEnglish
Extent4p
FormatManuscript
PhysicalDescriptionInk on paper
Digital imagesView item on Science in the Making
AccessStatusOpen
RelatedMaterialDOI: 10.1098/rstl.1733.0031
RelatedRecordRBO/18/60
Fellows associated with this archive
CodePersonNameDates
NA7954Hadley; John (1682 - 1744)1682 - 1744
Add to My Items

    Collection highlights

    Browse the records of some of our collections, which cover all branches of science and date from the 12th century onwards. These include the published works of Fellows of the Royal Society, personal papers of eminent scientists, letters and manuscripts sent to the Society or presented at meetings, and administrative records documenting the Society's activities since our foundation in 1660.

    The Royal Society

    The Royal Society is a Fellowship of many of
    the world's most eminent scientists and is the
    oldest scientific academy in continuous existence.
    Registered charity number 207043

    Website design ©CalmView



    CONTACT US

    + 44 207 451 2500
    (Lines open Mon-Fri, 9:00-17:00. Excludes bank holidays)

    6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AG

    Email Us →

    SUBSCRIBE

    Subscribe to our newsletters to be updated with the
    latest news on innovation, events, articles and reports.

    Subscribe →

    © CalmView