Fuess Heliostat 1879

Catalogue number #1989832543

Fuess Heliostat1	Fuess Heliostat 2	Fuess Heliostat 3	Fuess Heliostat Geometry

Description:

Heliostat signed R. Fuess Steglitz-Berlin. Fuess invented his heliostat in 1879 using the geometry devised by Stoney (who copied it in turn from Gambley). Stoney aimed to make a 'cheap portable instrument' but Fuess used the geometry to make a top precision instrument (consequently very expensive and exceedingly scarce, compare with the other heliostat using Stoney's geometry on this web site by Harvey and Peak and you will see what I mean). This is a beautiful scientific instrument made to very exacting specifications. Heliostats were made to produce an intense steady beam of light from the sun. Never common they were effectively superceeded by the development of the electric light and are now very scarce. Typically they were used by geologists to measure polarised light through light absorbing minerals. Reference Annals of Science volume 43 number 4 July 1986 article by Alan Mills for a detailed description of the history, theory and types of heliostats. Size Mirror arm 15" (38 cm) mirror 7.5" (19 cm) x 3.25" (8.5 cm) base diameter 5" (13 cm) Good working order.

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