Universal geomagnetic instrument — Teylers Museum

Universal geomagnetic instrument

1877

Since the seventeenth century it was known that the terrestrial magnetic field fluctuates daily. Yet it took till the nineteenth century before the study of terrestrial magnetism really started. In the Netherlands, terrestrial magnetic observations were recorded by the Koninklijk Nederlands Meteorologisch Instituut (the Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute) from 1860 onwards. These observations were about the variation in direction and strength of the magnetic field. This universal geomagnetic instrument is suited for precision measurements of these variables. Furthermore, it can be used as a surveying instrument (theodolite). The precision scales are provided with reading microscopes. This costly instrument, made by Meyerstein from Göttingen – at that time the absolute specialist in this field – was acquired by Teyler in 1877, maybe with the first Dutch polar expedition of 1878 in mind.

Administration name

Fysisch Kabinet

Title

Universal geomagnetic instrument

Translated title

Universal geomagnetic instrument

Creator

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Dating

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Measurements

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Inscription

[{'content': u'M. Meyerstein G\xf6ttingen', 'type': u''}]

Reproduction reference

[{'reference': '..\\images\\Fysisch\\Gekoppelde afbeeldingen\\FK 0472.jpg'}]

Order image