David Thomson’s Lunar and Horary Tables
Book by David Thomas to explane his Lunar corrector ruler.
'For new and concise methods of performing the calculations necessary for ascertaining the Longitude by Lunar Observations'
Type of object:
Book & Prints
Time period:
Britain rules the waves + France
Place:
London & Liverpool
Date:
1836
Maker / Author:
David Thomson
Publisher / Printer:
Published by Wh. H. Allen and Co, London and Liverpool
Thirteenth edition
Dimensions:
25 x 16.5 cm
Material:
Print on paper
Graduation:
Inscription:
Provenance:
Provenance: Matthew Henry Barker (1790–1846), was an English sailor, journalist, newspaper editor and writer of sea tales
References:
Description
Lunar And Horary Tables, for New and Concise Methods Of Performing The Calculations Necessary For Ascertaining The Longitude By Lunar Observations, Or chronometers; with appendix containing directions for acquiring a knowledge of the principal fixed stars
This was the explanation for using the Lunar scale invented by Captain David Thomson (1789-1834) and made and sold by Robert Bate in 1816, this extremely rare device was used for calculating the longitude at sea, and was described as a "Longitudinal Scale" or "Lunar Corrector" for reducing lunar distance observations in determining the longitude. It was endorsed by many, including Edward Troughton as giving apparent distances within a few arcseconds.
This book was initially sold by JW Norie in London.
Additional information