The Royal Observatory, Greenwich: A Glance at Its History and Work

"The Royal Observatory, Greenwich: A Glance at Its History and Work" by E. Walter Maunder is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The work delves into the significance of the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, focusing on its contributions to astronomy and navigation. The author traces the establishment of the Observatory, the pivotal figures who led it, and its lasting impacts on maritime navigation and scientific advances. The opening of the text introduces the history of the Royal Observatory, explaining its original purpose as a pivotal institution for practical navigation rather than a mere spectacle of celestial observation. Maunder discusses the general public's misconceptions about astronomers, illustrating how the work at the Observatory is often overshadowed by romanticized notions of astronomy. By emphasizing the Observatory's foundation and the historical need for accurate navigation, the text sets the stage for exploring the lives of key figures like John Flamsteed, the first Astronomer Royal, and his successors, contextualizing their contributions to the fields of astronomy and navigation. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Edward Walter Maunder was an English astronomer. His study of sunspots and the solar magnetic cycle led to his identification of the period from 1645 to 1715 that is now known as the Maunder Minimum.