A manuscript donated by astronomer and TV presenter Sir Patrick Moore, who died in 2012, has gone on display at Mills Observatory in Dundee. The manuscript for "The Moon – With a Description of its Surface Formations" was donated in 1972 and written by Walter Goodacre. Goodacre's lunar observations were made using a 10-inch Cooke refracting telescope, operated from his own observatory In North Finchley. That telescope now sits within the dome at the Mills Observatory but due to its size and age, is only used on special occasions.
Walter Goodacre (1856-1938) was a gifted amateur astronomer. He was a founder of the British Astronomical Association in 1890 and became Director of its Lunar section in 1896, a post he held until a year before his death in 1938. He was recognised as the most eminent early 20th Century British expert on the moon. In 1910, he self-published his hand drawn "Map of the Moon" made up of 25 detailed drawings. At the time, it was considered the most accurate and detailed map that was published.
In 1931 he self-published a follow up volume "The Moon- A Description of its Physical Features" which updated the 1910 map (and included the first high resolution photograph, taken by Francis Pease from Mount Wilson Observatory), it included detailed descriptions of the moon's surface and many of its features. It was considered the best guide to the moon's surface and is still considered relevant today.
Gareth Jackson-Hunt, Museum Services Manager at Leisure & Culture Dundee said
“We are pleased to showcase this donation, including observations from the Cooke telescope now housed at Mills Observatory. This was a generous gift from Sir Patrick Moore and we hope that visitors enjoy seeing both this manuscript and the telescope during their visit to the observatory.”
Ken Kennedy, from Dundee Astronomical Society and former Astronomer at Mills Observatory added
“When I was astronomer at Mills I would frequently read Goodacre's descriptions of lunar features and compare them with my observations. I very well remember the occasion when Patrick presented the book to Mills on 10th June 1972. I had been conversing with Patrick for a few years beforehand regarding investigations into lunar events called transient lunar phenomena (TLP). He had suggested a meeting of the British Astronomical Association's Lunar Section might be held in Dundee at Mills Observatory. The initial suggestion was received on the back of a Christmas card which Patrick sent in 1971 where a spring meeting was considered, but it was finally fixed for June 1972. “
“It was by complete chance that, on the day of the meeting at Mills, my daughter was born at mid-day. I missed Patrick's arrival at Mills but was dispatched to attend in the afternoon. My first actual meeting with Patrick was as he ascended the stairs into the dome of Mills. He appeared clutching Goodacre's book under his arm and proceeded to present it to us with words, something along the lines of, 'well, you have the telescope here at Mills, you may as well have Goodacre's observing book to go with it!'.”
“It is good to see that it has been returned to Mills and is on display to visitors to the Observatory.”
The version on display at Mills Observatory is the hand-written manuscript of that book and contains the original text and some drawings.
Mills Observatory is FREE to visit and open Monday to Friday: 4pm – 10pm and Saturday 6.30pm to 10pm until the end of March
Image: A photo of the 10-inch Cooke telescope from a recent event at Mills Observatory