Structure of the Milky Way galaxy Size:XL: 120 x 60cm Elevation of Westminster Hall

Elevation of Westminster Hall

South side of Aldgate (street)

Engraving of Tycho Brahe's great equatorial armillary instrument

with a petticoat suspended from the ceiling above them

Structure of the Milky Way galaxy Size:XL: 120 x 60cm Elevation of Westminster HallPlate 8 figure 4 from the paper 'On the construction of the heavens', by William Herschel, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, vol. 75 (1785), pp. 213 266. Illustration of a section through the galaxy, leading Herschel to the conclusion that 'our nebula is of the third form; that is: A very extensive, branching, compound Congeries of many millions of stars.' Inscribed in pencil verso with publication details. Not signed. Watermarked 'CP'