Amateur Astronomy Collection

Leviathan of Birr, Ireland
Leviathan of Birr. This 6-foot telescope, at Birr Castle, Parsonstown, Ireland, was constructed in 1845 by the Irish astronomer William Parsons (1800-1867), the 3rd Earl of Rosse

Triangulum Galaxy, 19th century
Triangulum Galaxy. 19th-century astronomical observation of the Triangulum Galaxy (M33, NGC 598). North is at top. At the time, such objects were still thought to be nebulae

Whirlpool Galaxy, 19th century
Whirlpool Galaxy. 19th-century astronomical observation of the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51a, NGC 5194) and its smaller companion galaxy (NGC 5195, M51b). North is at top

Andromeda Galaxy, 19th century
Andromeda Galaxy. 19th-century astronomical observation of the Andromeda Galaxy (M31, NGC 224). North is at left. At the time, such objects were still thought to be nebulae

Pleiades open star cluster, 19th century
Pleiades open star cluster. 19th-century astronomical observation of the Pleiades open star cluster (M45) and its associated nebulosity. North is at top

Ring Nebula, 19th century
Ring Nebula. 19th-century astronomical observation of the planetary nebula now called the Ring Nebula (M57, NGC 6720). North is at top

Orion Nebula, 19th century
Orion Nebula. 19th-century astronomical observation of the Orion Nebula (M42, NGC 1976). North is at top. This active region of star formation is visible to the naked eye

Dumbbell Nebula, 19th century
Dumbbell Nebula. 19th-century astronomical observation of the Dumbbell Nebula (M27, NGC 6853). North is at top. This planetary nebula consists of an expanding shell of material ejected from a star

S Monocerotis star, 19th century
S Monocerotis star. 19th-century astronomical observation of the stars Monocerotis (15 Monocerotis). North is at top. The star is at centre

Leviathan of Birr, Ireland, 19th century
Leviathan of Birr. 19th-century artwork of the 6-foot telescope erected in 1845 at Birr Castle, Parsonstown, Ireland, by the Irish astronomer William Parsons (1800-1867), 3rd Earl of Rosse

Open star cluster M46, 19th century
Open star cluster M46. 19th-century astronomical observation of the open star cluster M46 (NGC 2437). North is at top. Also visible near centre as a nebulosity around one of the stars is

James Nasmyth, Scottish engineer
James Nasmyth (1808-1890), Scottish engineer. Nasmyth was the son of a landscape painter in Edinburgh. Although his formal schooling finished when he was 12

Amateur astronomy, Orion and Hyades over trees. The stars of the constellation of Orion form the figure of a swordsman in the night sky

Comet 2008 J1 (Boattini), May 2008
Comet 2008 J1 (Boattini). The comet can be seen as the slightly blurred white dot, just left of centre. Comets leave a trail of debris behind them, seen as a coma or tail

Starry sky. Composite image of a lantern-bearing woman silhouetted against a starry sky. A crescent moon is seen at lower left

Illuminated star chart, 19th century
Illuminated star chart, being used to show amateur astronomers the position of the stars. Artwork from the tenth volume (second period of 1892)

ISS light trail, time-exposure image. This streak of light was formed as the International Space Station (ISS) passed from top to bottom across the night sky

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Amateur astronomy, a timeless pursuit that has captivated minds for centuries. In the 19th century, pioneers like Leviathan of Birr in Ireland embarked on a journey to unravel the mysteries of the cosmos. Armed with their telescopes and unwavering curiosity, they delved into the depths of space. Among their remarkable discoveries was the Triangulum Galaxy, its ethereal beauty shining through millions of light-years away. The Whirlpool Galaxy also caught their attention, its swirling arms captivating observers as it danced across the night sky. And who could forget the breathtaking Andromeda Galaxy? A celestial marvel that sparked wonder and awe among amateur astronomers. The Pleiades open star cluster became another favorite subject for these stargazers. Its sparkling stars formed an enchanting tapestry against the dark canvas above. As they turned their gaze towards distant nebulae, they were greeted by mesmerizing sights such as the Ring Nebula and Orion Nebula - cosmic clouds where new stars are born. One cannot overlook the Dumbbell Nebula either; its distinctive shape resembling a weightlifting apparatus suspended in space. Amidst this vast expanse, one particular star stood out - S Monocerotis - radiating brilliance like a beacon guiding explorers through uncharted territories. These dedicated individuals left an indelible mark on history with their observations and documentation of celestial wonders during this era. Their efforts paved the way for future generations to continue unraveling secrets hidden within our universe's fabric. As we look back at these 19th-century achievements in amateur astronomy, we can't help but be inspired by their passion and dedication to understanding what lies beyond our earthly realm. Today's amateurs carry forward this legacy using advanced technology while cherishing those early pioneers who dared to dream under starlit skies. So let us raise our telescopes high and embark on our own astronomical journeys – exploring galaxies far away or observing open star clusters like M46.