Harold Knox-Shaw

[jambouk]

A fascinating historical article about this chap and the Helwan Observatory in Egypt in the April 2015 copy of the Journal of the British Astronomical Association. It amazes me at how relatively advanced the equipment was, and the techniques employed were, at the turn of the last century.

A must read for existing BAA members who have a copy of the journal lying around, and maybe a stimulus for non-members to consider signing up (https://www.britastro.org/join).

Another fascinating fact in the article, which I didn't previously know, is about Hubble and his classification of galaxy morphology; a very similar proposal had been made and published in 1920, though we all attribute Hubble with being the brains behind this from his 1926 publication.

Thanks to the authors and the BAA for a really good read.

James

[jambouk]

I'd emailed the author to say what a wonderful article it is, and in his reply he included a link to a British Pathe newreel from 1939 which shows Knox-Shaw in the Pretoria observatory where he subsequently became director:

http://www.britishpathe.com/video/giant-telescope-issue-title-is-calling-all-stars/query/observatory

James