Historical telescope returns to the Old Observatory
The Old Observatory in Leiden has reclaimed its most important telescope. Since the 1960s, the Meridian Circle (also known as a transit telescope) had been housed in the Boerhaave Museum. After more than sixty years, the telescope is finally back in its original location. Now, the public can enjoy it during guided tours.
The Meridian Circle dates back to 1861 and is nearly two and a half metres long. This measuring instrument kept all clocks in Leiden synchronised. Designed for the precise determination of star positions, it played a vital role in national timekeeping, serving industries like shipping and railways.
No Longer Needed for Research
In the early 1960s, the telescope was moved to make room for new equipment, as it was no longer useful for research. ‘The Meridian Circle was outdated, and given its massive size, it was probably just in the way,’ says Ignas Snellen, Scientific Director of the Leiden Observatory at Leiden University. The telescope was subsequently transferred to Rijksmuseum Boerhaave, where it remained part of the permanent collection for many years before being put into storage a few years ago.
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Ignas Snellen en Vincent Icke unveal the Meridian Circle -
From left to right: Suzan Stoter, Vincent Icke, Ignas Snellen, Christel Schollaardt, Alexander van Drooge, Frans van Beek
Guided Tours in the Old Observatory
The members of the Werkgroep Leidse Sterrewacht (WLS) felt this was a loss. For decades, they have maintained and repaired the historic telescopes and, along with astronomy students, gave numerous tours each year at the Old Observatory. Snellen is pleased they came up with the idea to bring the Meridian Circle back. ‘It’s fantastic that this has come together.’
Frans van Beek, chairman of the WLS, is very proud. ‘We’ve always told the story of this important instrument. Now we can finally show it to the public in all its glory. And it’s absolutely worth it.’
The relocation of the Meridian Circle was made possible in part by the Leidsche Sterrewacht Fund, a named fund under the Leiden University Fund (LUF).