Transit of Venus: A Rare Astronomical Event

The Gregorian reflecting telescope used by Joseph Brown to observe the 1769 transit of Venus from Providence.
The telescope, made by Watkins and Smith of London, has a 4" aperture and 24" focal length and was purchased by Joseph for $500.

Telescope is on display in the John Hay Library at Brown University.

Permission to use granted by the Brown University Archives.

Brown University from A to Z, by University Archivist Martha Mitchell. The ultimate reference book about Brown, with more than 660 articles. The Encyclopedia covers academic departments, athletics, buildings, organizations, and publications and biographies of important alumni/ae, and faculty members. Hard cover, 6 x 9, 630 pages.