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Mouth of the Harton Coal-Pit, South Shields, 1854. Creator: Unknown
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Mouth of the Harton Coal-Pit, South Shields, 1854. Creator: Unknown
Mouth of the Harton Coal-Pit, South Shields, 1854. Mr. Airy['s] grand object was to arrive at the weight of our globe...it being necessary to know this before we can proceed to determine the weight or mass of the sun, moon, and planets, which is of the utmost importance to practical astronomy...[in order to] ascertain whether the centre of the globe was a mass of matter, [Mr Airy]...saw that...it would be most easily settled by observing the number of vibrations made by a pendulum swung at the surface of the earth and at the bottom of the deepest mine. The number of vibrations...is a correct measure of the power of gravitation; and, as we penetrate the comparatively light super-strata or crust of the globe, and approach the much denser and heavier mass forming the interior, the attraction of gravitation will be considerably increased, and the effect will be to accelerate the vibration of the pendulum'. From "Illustrated London News", 1854
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph, titled 'Mouth of the Harton Coal-Pit, South Shields, 1854,' transports us back in time to an era of scientific discovery and exploration. The image, captured by an unknown photographer, offers a glimpse into the heart of the industrial revolution, with the vast expanse of the coal pit serving as a testament to humanity's relentless pursuit of natural resources. At the forefront of this period of innovation was Sir George Airy, the renowned British astronomer, who embarked on a groundbreaking mission to determine the weight of the Earth. His ultimate goal was to ascertain the weight or mass of celestial bodies such as the sun, moon, and planets, a crucial step in advancing practical astronomy. Airy recognized that the Earth's mass could be determined by observing the number of vibrations made by a pendulum at the surface and at the bottom of the deepest mine. The number of vibrations serves as an accurate measure of the gravitational force, and as one delves deeper into the Earth, approaching the denser interior, the gravitational attraction increases, causing the pendulum to vibrate more rapidly. This photograph, published in the 'Illustrated London News' in 1854, offers a unique perspective on the intersection of science and industry during a time of significant discovery and progress. The Mouth of the Harton Coal-Pit stands as a symbol of the industrial might of the era, while also serving as a crucial tool in the hands of scientists like Airy, who sought to unlock the mysteries of the universe.
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