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Weight

Astronomy

This is a brass-coloured roughly bell-shaped metal weight. It consists of a cylindrical base with a bevelled top that curves into a bell-shaped section on top. The top of the weight is open, revealing a hole. Likely there was originally a hook attached here.

Accession Number: 2019.ast.198

Alternative Name:

Primary Materials: Metal: Iron Alloy? Metal: Copper Alloy?

Markings:

Dimensions (cm): Diameter = 7, Height = 9

Function:

This weight is likely to be used with a piece of apparatus that requires a dangling weight, for example a timing or timed device. It could also be used as a weight in other contexts.

Condition:

Good: The surface of the weight is marked and scratched; where it is, it is dulled and corroded. Around the ridged edge at the base of the top ‘bell’ shape, there is a wedge of the rim missing. The top of the bell is open and likely missing a hook.

Associated Instruments:

Manufacturer:

Date of Manufacture: Early 20th Century

Provenance:

This object was likely moved from the David Dunlap Observatory in Richmond Hill in 2008, upon the sale of the observatory. It was stored at the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics until 2017 when it was moved to a new storage location in McLennan Physical Laboratories.

Additional Information and References:

Historical Notes:

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