Observatory

Storm clouds gathering overhead meant a rather hurried dive outside of the car for a quick blip this afternoon.

This is Clifton Observatory situated near the suspension bridge. It was originally a snuff mill but was partially destroyed in a gale in 1777. The artist William West rented it in 1828 to use as his studio and installed a camera obscura which still works today.The camera projects a panoramic view of the surrounding area onto a white surface in a darkened room. It works from a box on top of the building containing a convex lens and sloping mirror. Light is then reflected down onto a table giving a true image.

The yellow platform is the entrance or exit depending on how you look at it, to a cave 250 feet above the valley floor and leads up to the Observatory. Next time with less pressing matters to do it would be great to have a wander down there. Another day, another blip.......