Derbyshire

SHA County coordinator was the late  Madeline Cox

email: survey coordinator

Astronomers

Associated People (Academics and associated professionals)

Makers/Manufacturers

Whitehurst, John (1733-1788), clock and scientific instrument maker of Derby; founder member of the Lunar Society. Founded a philosophical society in Derby around 1770.Made many clocks movements for Matthew Bolton at Soho House. Had many interests, including geology and astronomy. Was a close friend of James Ferguson. Was made a member of the Royal Society in 1779 as a result of his geological researches in An Inquiry into the Original State and Formation of the Earth published in 1778. Believed to have been the author of reports on eclipses, the appearance of the planets, constellations and meteor showers that appeared regularly in the Derby Mercury newspaper. Lived in London in later life (ODNB).

Observatories

Astronomy Groups

Associated Groups

Derby Philosophical Society [DPS] (1783- ), founded in 1783 by Erasmus Darwin it became the focus for meetings of natural philosophers and experimental demonstrations by visiting lecturers, for example the air pump and orrery as depicted in Joseph Wright’s paintings.  In 1858 it merged with with the Derby Town and County Museum and the Natural History Society.

Local History Centres/Libraries/Societies

Megalithic Sites

Derbyshire is well-known for its pre-historic sites that are thought to have  astronomically alignments.

Arbor Low, nr. Bakewell, in the White Peak is a Neolithic henge (2000 BCE) mounment (Wiki).

Nine ladies Stone Circle, Stanton Moor is a small Neolithic/early Bronze Age (3300-900 BCE) henge monument (Wiki).