Greenwich in Greater London, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

Flamsteed’s Well Telescope

Photographed By Michael Herrick, April 28, 2018

1. Flamsteed’s Well Telescope Marker

Inscription.
John Flamsteed, the first Astronomer Royal at Greenwich, used a 100-foot (30.5m) well on this site to accommodate a very long telescope. The astronomer sat at the bottom of the well and observed stars that passed directly overhead. It was hoped that placing the telescope in the well would make it possible to create a steady long focus instrument for very fine measurements. Flamsteed made a few observations from here in 1679, but the damp underground conditions soon made the telescope impossible to use.

This reconstructed circle of bricks indicates the approximate site of the well telescope.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Science & Medicine.

Location. 51° 28.663′ N, 0° 0.081′ W. Marker is in Greenwich, England, in Greater London. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Blackheath Avenue and Great Cross Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Located at the Royal Observatory Greenwich. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Greenwich, England SE10 8XJ, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. William Herschel’s Telescope (a few steps from this marker); The Greenwich Meridian Telescope (a few steps from this marker); Time for everyone (a few steps from this marker); Airy’s meridian line

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(a few steps from this marker); Bradley’s meridian line (a few steps from this marker); The Shepherd 24-hour Gate Clock (within shouting distance of this marker); The Royal Observatory (within shouting distance of this marker); Ordnance Survey Bench Mark (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Greenwich.

Also see . . .
1. Royal Observatory, Greenwich on Wikipedia. (Submitted on May 24, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. John Flamsteed on Wikipedia. (Submitted on May 24, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

The site of Flamsteed’s Well Telescope image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Herrick, April 28, 2018

2. The site of Flamsteed’s Well Telescope

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 190 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 24, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.