Space telescopes are pretty amazing. They capture stunning images and have changed how we understand the universe. But did you know some impressive photos were taken long before these modern tools? One notable example comes from 1888, thanks to a Welsh engineer named Isaac Roberts.
Roberts was passionate about astrophotography. He started using a 180 mm refracting telescope in 1878 and, by 1885, built an observatory to house a more powerful reflecting telescope with a 510 mm mirror. His setup was unique for its time. Instead of adding mirrors, which complicated the process, he placed photographic plates directly at the mirror’s focus.
In December 1888, he took a long exposure photograph of the Andromeda galaxy (M31). His images revealed spiral structures in the galaxy, groundbreaking news back then. It’s fascinating to think how different his photos were compared to what we see today from space telescopes like Hubble or James Webb.
Hubble’s latest images, such as its largest photo of Andromeda, contain a staggering 1.5 billion pixels. Click here to explore it yourself! The technology differences are vast. Roberts’ work took hours to capture, whereas modern instruments can do it in seconds with incredible detail.
Interestingly, Roberts also created a machine to engrave stellar positions on copper plates, showcasing his innovative spirit. His telescope now resides in the Science Museum in London, a testament to his contributions.
As we look at Roberts’ work, we see how even simple tools can yield great results. Today, a lot of astrophotography involves editing photos after the fact. For those interested in astronomy, classes are available online. You might not reach the standards of Hubble or Webb, but who knows? With practice, you might create something remarkable, just like Isaac Roberts did with his humble equipment.
