Monday 3 February 2014

Sir John Herschel

Sir John Herschel, 1867
Photo: Julia Margaret Cameron
Albumen silver print from glass negative.
John Herschel was an English mathematician, astronomer, chemist,
and experimental photographer.

Photograph of a Moon crater,
Calotype made by Sir John Herschel, 1842.

2 comments:

  1. Interesting! This is what Wikipedia tells us: "Getty image information: Although this photograph appears to show the dimpled surface of a distant moon crater, it actually represents a papier-mâché or clay model, as it was technically impossible to take close-up views of the lunar surface in the 1850s. The image, which once belonged to the distinguished astronomer John Herschel, reflected the new concern of scientists in the 1800s with detailed observation of this visible but unreachable place.".

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    1. I overlooked that, Rob. Thanks for pointing it out.

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