Astronomy and the camera obscura
Abstract
The camera obscura (from Latin meaning darkened chamber) is a simple optical device with a long history. In the form considered here, it can be traced back to 1550. It had its heyday during the Victorian era when it was to be found at the seaside as a tourist attraction or sideshow. It was also used as an artist's drawing aid and, in 1620, the famous astronomer-mathematician, Johannes Kepler used a small tent camera obscura to trace the scenery.
- Publication:
-
Journal of the British Astronomical Association
- Pub Date:
- February 2000
- Bibcode:
- 2000JBAA..110...25F