A collection of 18th century telescopes, scientific instruments and handwritten astronomical observations belonging to an "astronomer" Duke of Marlborough has gone on show at Blenheim Palace.
George Spencer, 4th Duke of Marlborough, was a keen amateur astronomer and had an observatory built at the Palace.
He shared his passion with King George III, who had a 10ft telescope made for him by Court Astronomer William Herschel – the man who discovered Uranus.
In addition to three telescopes owned by the Duke, the new exhibition also features his brass orrery, a mechanical model of the solar system, and a series of handwritten manuscripts on astronomy.
The Duke’s interests also included meteorology and there is also slim volume containing his observations and recording of rainfall at Blenheim, a practice which continues at the Palace to this day.
The temporary display in the China Anteroom also features two portraits of the 4th Duke.
It is timed to coincide with the autumn equinox, which can occur any time between 21st and 24th September, when day and night are of roughly equal length.
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