SHA County Co-ordinator: Carolyn Kennett
Email: carolyn@hird.net
Astronomers
Observatories
Astronomy Groups
Astronomical Sites
Wimborne Minster Astronomical Clock (1301-1400) astronomical clock located on the West tower of the minster church. It is regarded as one of the most ancient working clocks in Europe and is based on the Ptolomaic geocentric model of the universe – Earth at its centre (Wiki).
Dorset Cursus (10000–4500 BCE), Cranbourne Chase, a complex of Neolithic ditches stretching over 6 miles. It has been suggested that it is a Neolithic astronomical observatory – paper by Wood, JE. Penny, A (Wiki).
Philae Obelisk -(101-200 BCE) Located on the estate of Kingston Lacy, between Blanford and Winborne. The Ancient Egyptian obelisk was brought from Philase in Egypt by William John Bankes. The Philae Lander spacecraft, carried by the Rosetta spaceprobe, which landed on the comet 67P/Churyumov is named after the monument.
Other sites of note
Bloxworth Estate – numerous astronomical books dating from 1738 now held by the Dorset records office.
Useful addresses
Dorset Record Office
Bridport Road, Dorchester, DT1 1RP, England (Tel 01305 250550; Fax 01305 257184; Email archives@dorset-cc.gov.uk; URL http://www.dorset-cc.gov.uk/archives)
