Life of Famous Derbyshire Astronomer Brought Into Focus At Public Lecture
28 November 2012
An illustration from Flamsteed's star atlas, Atlas Coelestis
A free public lecture will give people the chance to hear how a Derbyshire stargazer came to catalogue the stars, became the first English Astronomer Royal under King Charles II, and set up the world famous Royal Observatory in Greenwich.
The 'In the Footsteps of Flamsteed' annual public talk is taking place at the University of Derby on Wednesday December 5 at 6.30pm. This year, in a joint lecture, Dr Mike Lancaster from Derby and District Astronomical Society and Jonathan Wallis, Assistant Head of Derby Museums, will share their unrivalled knowledge of the life of 17th Century astronomer, John Flamsteed.
Together they will examine Flamsteed's Derbyshire beginnings and his meteoric rise in the scientific community which culminated in his Royal appointment, his tireless and stubborn quest for perfection, and how this would lead him into conflict with Isaac Newton and Edmund Halley.
Jonathan Wallis, Assistant Head of Derby Museums will also explain how the Museum came to purchase Flamsteed's illustrated star atlas, Atlas Coelestis, which they have put on public display for the first time. He will reveal the beautiful atlas's contribution to the Museum's collection, to the Enlightenment and to the city of Derby.
To book a free place at the public lecture, taking place on Wednesday December 5 at 6.30pm in the Courtroom at the University of Derby's Kedleston Road site visit www.derby.ac.uk/flamsteed.
The annual Flamsteed lectures started in 1996, and past speakers include Sir Martin (now Lord) Rees, President of the Royal Society, and Professor Colin Pillinger, former head of the European Mars Express mission Beagle 2.
