On a fine day on Flint Island (Kiribati), a remarkable forty-foot tall camera could be spied towering over a neighbouring camp, photographed by Henry Winkelmann in 1907. He had accompanied the Anglo-Australasian expedition launched from New Zealand by F.K. McClean, to capture the solar eclipse on January 3rd 1908. They worked adjacently to an American team from the Lick Observatory, who had arrived a fortnight earlier to prepare their extensive range of equipment.
The 40ft (12.2m) camera in the American camp.
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira. PH-NEG-2937
The structure raising the 40ft (12.2m) camera consisted of double scaffolding: one inside to support the camera alone, housed by another external scaffolding for the operator, minimising vibration and reducing risk of accidents. A canvas tube led to a lens six inches (15cm) in diameter, ready to project the image. The eclipse would only last a crucial 4 minutes, 6 seconds.
Astronomy equipment in the neighbouring camp, in anticipation of the Flint Island solar eclipse. Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira. PH-NEG-2933 More information ›