Astronomical Instrumentation before the Telescope – Mike Leggett

There were many astronomical instruments before the introduction of the astronomical telescope. 

After a brief historical introduction, Mike will talk about some of these instruments and their uses:

• Observational/measuring tools, including Ptolemy’s Rules, Jacob’s Staff and Quadrant

• Astronomical devices used to represent the sky, including armillary sphere and astrolabe

• Measuring time, including sundials and clocks

Dr. Mike Leggett is a founder member of the South Lincolnshire Astronomical and Geophysical Society in 1976. Mike began to present astronomy talks for his local society. He has since presented lectures for the British Interplanetary Society, at University of Aberdeen evening classes, for the Society for the History of Astronomy and to astronomical societies and other groups throughout the UK.

Currently Vice Chairman of the Milton Keynes Astronomical Society, Mike has also served as Chairman and Secretary. A former Council Member and Publicity Officer for the Society for the History of Astronomy (SHA), he is also county co-ordinator for Buckinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Rutland in the SHA survey of astronomical history of the UK. A Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and a Fellow of the British Interplanetary Society, Mike Leggett is also a member of the British Astronomical Association, the National Space Society and the Planetary Society.

A Graduate in Chemistry and Pharmacology from the University of Nottingham, Dr Leggett also holds a PhD in Chemistry. A Chartered Chemist and a Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry, he is a member of the Astrophysical Chemistry Group. He also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Technical Authorship and Communication and is Member of the Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators.

 PhD (chemistry) (1986).

Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (since 1986).

Fellow of the British Interplanetary Society (since 1984).

Founder member (2002) and Publicity Officer/Council Member (since 2011) of the Society for the History of Astronomy (SHA); County Co-ordinator for Buckinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Rutland in the SHA Survey of Astronomical History.

Member of the British Astronomical Association (since 1993), the Planetary Society (since 1996), Society for Popular Astronomy (since 2013), the William Herschel Society (since 2014) and the National Space Society (2016).

Member of the Milton Keynes Astronomical Society (since 1993) and currently Publicity Officer.