8 X 10 plate glass mirror
Date: circa 1939
Inventory Number: 1996-1-0474
Classification: Mirror
Maker: Harvard College Observatory (founded 1839)
Maker: Albert B. Focke (fl. 1930s)
User: Fletcher G. Watson ? (1912 - 1997)
User: Oak Ridge Station (1931 - 2005)
User: George R. Agassiz Station, Harvard (1951 - 1982)
User: Harvard College Observatory (founded 1839)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
City of Use:
Dimensions:
mirror: 25.6 × 20.4 × 0.6 cm (10 1/16 × 8 1/16 × 1/4 in.)
box: 3.2 × 24.8 × 30.1 cm (1 1/4 × 9 3/4 × 11 7/8 in.)
Description:
An 8 x 10 inch rectangular glass plate is aluminized by the evaporation process. It is stored in a flat, fitted plywood box with one hinge. The glass is held in place by three brass tabs resting on top of wood splints. The box is held closed by a latch hook and screw.
Signedin pencil on box lid: Aluminized July 1939 / A. B. FOCKE / PROVIDENCE, R. I.
Inscribedin black crayon on box lid: 8X10 PLATE / GLASS
in pencil on box lid: Aluminum / Mirror on / 8 x 10 plate / glass
in white crayon on box side edge: [MIRROR] 8" X 10" PLATE GLASS
in pencil on box lid: Aluminum / Mirror on / 8 x 10 plate / glass
in white crayon on box side edge: [MIRROR] 8" X 10" PLATE GLASS
Historical AttributesDr. Albert B. Focke of the Physics Department of Brown University was knowledgeable in the new method of aluminizing glass mirrors by evaporation, which was developed by physicists in the years following 1928. He gave a number of talks and demonstrations on the subject, one talk being on April 1, 1935 to the Skyscrapers Amateur Astronomical Society of Rhode Island and another to the AAVSO meeting at Ladd Observatory in the spring of 1938.
It is assumed that the Harvard College Observatory was sending him these mirrors for aluminizing.
Fletcher Watson (1912-1997) was an astronomer who completed his Ph.D. in astronomy from Harvard University in 1938. He then joined the HCO staff. His specialty was comets and meteorites.
It is assumed that the Harvard College Observatory was sending him these mirrors for aluminizing.
Fletcher Watson (1912-1997) was an astronomer who completed his Ph.D. in astronomy from Harvard University in 1938. He then joined the HCO staff. His specialty was comets and meteorites.
ProvenanceHarvard College Observatory, lent in 1939 to Dr. Albert B. Focke, Physics Department, Brown University; returned to Harvard College Observatory (possibly for the use of Fletcher Watson), 1939; Harvard College Observatory, Agassiz Station; transferred to CHSI, 1969.