Birr Castle gardens belong to the Earls of Rosse, and William Parsons, the 3rd Earl, was responsible for the construction of the “Great Telescope” or Leviathan. With its 183 cm (72″) reflector in 1845, it was then the largest telescope on earth and capable of capturing more light and seeing further into space than any other telescope.
The 4th Earl carried on the scientific tradition until his death in 1908 after which, the telescope fell into disrepair. The mirror was taken to the Science Museum in London and the telescope was dismantled in 1914; it was restored in the 1990’s and is surrounded by a delightful meadow.
13 comments in “astronomy compels the soul to look upwards”
May 18th, 2010 at 4:54 pm
Birr Castle gardens belong to the Earls of Rosse, and William Parsons, the 3rd Earl, was responsible for the construction of the “Great Telescope” or Leviathan. With its 183 cm (72″) reflector in 1845, it was then the largest telescope on earth and capable of capturing more light and seeing further into space than any other telescope.
The 4th Earl carried on the scientific tradition until his death in 1908 after which, the telescope fell into disrepair. The mirror was taken to the Science Museum in London and the telescope was dismantled in 1914; it was restored in the 1990’s and is surrounded by a delightful meadow.
May 18th, 2010 at 7:57 pm
What a unique place. The grasses in the forefront are beautiful.
May 18th, 2010 at 9:49 pm
Interesting place and description.
May 18th, 2010 at 10:12 pm
bonsoir,
Great lightness, composition and sharpness, as usual!..bravo!
May 19th, 2010 at 5:33 am
What a nice place. Good to read the history of it as well. I wish people later would have contributed to his efforts.
Great shot.
May 19th, 2010 at 6:31 am
Gorgeous. I always wanted to be a princess who lived in a castle.
May 19th, 2010 at 6:42 am
Outstanding in its field, then, George! Wow!
May 19th, 2010 at 7:54 am
i love contrast colors, exelent
May 19th, 2010 at 8:26 am
Very good presentation and framing for this beautiful photograph, congratulation George
May 19th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
Excellent photo as usual!!!
Great
May 19th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
Lovely framing, great subject and another wonderful photo. The colors in this are superb. Very nicely shot.
May 19th, 2010 at 10:19 pm
May 21st, 2010 at 4:27 am
Good composition!
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