Arago cyanopolarimeter
Date1860-1890
Inventory NumberDW0153
ClassificationPolarimeter
Subject
Maker
Édouard Lutz
fl. 1848 - 1896
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions39.5 × 24.7 × 54.2 cm (15 9/16 × 9 3/4 × 21 5/16 in.)
Material
DescriptionThe instrument consists of an optical tube that has a set of glass plates at one end (polarizer) and a Nicol prism in the eyepiece (analyzer). The angle of the polarizer can be adjusted and measured on a semi-circular graduated circle (105°-0-105°, divided in single degrees). The polarizer slides on a horizontal rod to position it at various distances from the optical tube. Another graduated circle, made of four 90 degrees quadrants, divided in single degrees, is used with a bubble level to determine the instrument angle of inclination. A piece of black fabric on two rollers, extending from the end of the optical tube to the polarizer, was used to eliminate unwanted glare. The instrument is set on a telescoping stand supported by a tripod.
Signedon the telescope tube: Ed LUTZ, Opticien / Paris
FunctionInstrument designed by François Jean Dominique Arago (1786-1853) meant to measure the intensity of the sky's blue light as well as its polarization (in order to make consistent meteorological observations).
ProvenanceDavid Wheatland purchased from Alain Brieux, Paris, 1965 (lot 19/8).
Ernst Leitz (company)
Date: circa 1919
Accessories: oculars (2): 3, 8x; accessory box; Leitz objectives (5); wrenches (2); ground glass; N.A. 1.45 condensor cap; Abbe condensor; rotary stage; case
Object number: 1345
Jules Duboscq & Philibért François Pellin
Date: 1890-1910
Object number: BH0143
Ernst Leitz (company)
Date: circa 1937
Accessories: standard eyepieces (3): 8X P, Periplan. OK 10X, and Periplan. Ok. 25X; wide eyepieces (3): 1, 1, 8X, 10X; objectives (4) in fitted case: 1b 4.3X, 3 10X, P7 62X, P 1/12 oel; waveplates (2); condenser with polarizer; mechanical stage; loupe 6x; box of cover glasses; standing case; key; objective adaptors (4); and watch keys (2)
Object number: 1999-1-0020a
Félix Marie Pellin
Date: circa 1930
Object number: 1996-1-0365b