This display marks the international year of astronomy in 2009 by showing a selection of mezzotints and prints of some of the leading astronomers in the eighteenth century, together with the large oil painting Adam Walker and his family by George Romney. From John Flamsteed and Edmond Halley the First and Second Astronomers Royal in 1675 and 1721 to William Herschel and his sister Caroline in the late eighteenth century, discovery of new planets and greater understanding of the universe inspired poets and writers and also assisted scientific advances by improving ships’ navigation.
The popularization of astronomy was helped by the invention of specialist instruments which enabled astronomers to map the stars and planets, and portraits of these inventors such as George Martin and John Bird are also on show.
