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"The purpose of the Delaware Astronomical Society shall be to encourage interest, and to advance education and scientific knowledge, in the subject of astronomy.” |
The DAS Librarian has initiated a comprehensive survey of astronomers connected to Delaware, along with their telescopes, sundials, instruments, and observatories. This effort spans from the observational traditions of Native American (Lenape) skywatchers, through the celestial navigation practices of 17th-century explorers and settlers from England, Holland, and Sweden, to the work of 18th-century surveyors, teachers, and gentleman astronomers.
The publication of astronomical almanacs in Wilmington during the 18th century—such as those printed by James Adams and James Wilson—reflects the early dissemination of practical astronomical knowledge to the public, including calendars, planetary motions, eclipses, and navigational data. In 1769, observations of the Transit of Venus were conducted in Lewes, placing Delaware within the broader international scientific effort to measure the scale of the solar system. Notable among Delaware observers is William Poole (1726–1779), who used a 12-foot refractor in Wilmington to observe the transit.
The survey also includes the 19th century, a period of significant development in Delaware astronomy. During this time, astronomy became increasingly formalized through published works and academic instruction, including professorships in astronomy at Delaware College (now the University of Delaware). The century also saw the construction of both college-based and private observatories, reflecting a growing institutional and personal investment in astronomical study within the state. At the same time, amateur telescope making advanced significantly in Delaware, alongside the work of gentleman astronomers, telescope builders, and early astrophotographers. This includes the acquisition in 1836 of a 14-foot Herschelian reflector built by Amasa Holcomb of Southwick, Massachusetts, for use at Delaware College. Observational milestones of the period include the 1882 Transit of Venus.
The survey extends into the 20th and 21st centuries, documenting both professional and amateur astronomers and the instruments in use today, reflecting the continued advancement of astronomical knowledge and activity in Delaware.
To support this initiative, a living spreadsheet has been created and will be continuously updated as data is collected. The DAS Library is also assembling a research archive of images and documents, which will be made available to researchers upon request.
Survey submissions are encouraged. Please contact:
DAS Survey of Delaware Astronomers and Telescopes
Inquiries? email