Hampton Court astronomical clock, Astronomical clock at Hampton Court Palace, Richmond upon Thames, England
The Hampton Court astronomical clock is a large mechanical device with multiple copper dials rotating at different speeds to show information about the moon, sun, and stars. The dials work together to display celestial positions and movements across the sky.
This clock was designed in 1540 for King Henry VIII and built by French and English craftsmen working together. It reflects an ancient understanding of the universe that existed before modern astronomy changed how people viewed the heavens.
The clock displays a pre-Copernican view of the universe, with information about zodiac signs, moon phases, and solar positions according to medieval understanding.
The clock is located inside the palace and is best viewed in daylight when all the dials are clearly visible. Take time to examine each dial closely, as the detailed markings and movements can be hard to see from a distance.
One dial completes a full rotation each lunar month to track when the moon returns to the same point in the sky, a feature that was especially useful for people who relied on moon phases for daily activities. This lunar tracking system made the clock a practical tool beyond its role as a display of heavenly mechanics.
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