General
Huyghens mercury-contra-barometers measure continuously the changes in air pressure. To estimate forecasts, one has to set the index on the glass tube to the actual oil level. The contra barometer is the most reliable instrument for weatherforecasting. Easy to read with a 10 x times enlarged scale. No other barometer has such an easy to read scale.
Christiaan Huyghens was a Dutch scientist who lived in the seventeenth century (1608-1647). He is known for several inventions and discoveries, all in some way related to shipping.
He solved one of the major problems that the Toricelli weather instrument showed: the degree of readability. He did this by placing a "multiplication" onto the mercury tube. In the now U-shaped instrument colored alcohol was filled onto the mercury surface. All changes in the mercury column where multiplied with a factor ten, and transferred to the surface of the colored alcohol. The scale of the Toricelli became tenfold enlarged, and due to the colored fluid, accurate and even from a distance to read.
Huyghens mercury contra-barometer #K1000
Mercury barometer according Christiaan Huyghens combined with an alcohol thermometer (Blue color) and Fitzroy stormbottle. This barometer is based on the "Yorkshire"-barometer which is on display in the British Museum.
- Total weight of the weather station: 1.800 g
- Background in parchment, black/blue imprinted
- Available in natural, light medium and dark oak, (in these colors is also an"old waxed"-version available), mahogany and dark mahogany, cherry wood and nut.
- Barometer scale shows millimeter and hectoPascal
- Thermometer scale in Centigrade and Fahrenheit
- Choice of blue or red colored fluids
- Available with Dutch text or symbols (as shown).
- The standard barometer tube is fitted for use between sea level and 700 meters height, for other heights the tube has to be altered for proper operation. A calibrationset and detailed instructions are added so customers can adjust the barometer to their local height
- Engraved brass plate "Yorkshire"
- Frame: 1115 x 280 mm