190
meteorograph was modified in 1903 in order to measure pressure with more precision, but from an old picture, it is clear that the instrument was just a large Secchi
balance barograph enclosed in a wooden showcase (Shu Jiaxin 1997: 513); the
barograph does not seem to be derived from a modified meteorograph. On it, a large
brass plate had the inscription: E. BRASSART ROMA (Fig. 10.9).
In spite of a long investigation, it has been impossible to determine the fate of
these two instruments, which were probably removed in the twentieth century. The
historical building of the Zi-Ka-Wei Observatory, which has been modified several
times, was recently refurbished and today hosts the Shanghai meteorological museum.
2
In its display there is a framed engraving illustrating the Secchi meteorograph
of the 1867 exhibition (and not the one of the observatory) with the quite incorrect
caption: “…One of these devices was delivered to the Zikawei observatory. It was
never fully used, and served more as a display piece.”
10.3.7 Mexico City (1878)
The Observatorio Meteorológico y Astronomico of Mexico City was founded in
1877 (Comisión National de Agua 2012).
3
For a very short time, the observatory
was installed in the Palacio National; in 1878 it was moved to the Castillo de
Chapultepec. Here a meteorograph made under the supervision of Father Secchi
was installed. The apparatus, which was identical to the one installed at Collegio
Romano Observatory, was ordered in the same year by the secretary of the Ministry
of Development from the Brassart brothers in Rome. On November 28, Secchi
wrote a letter where he affirmed that he had examined the meteorograph and found
it completed and in perfect working order (Báracena 1878: 436). The machine
arrived in 1878 in Mexico City and was officially presented on March 5. Almost at
the same time, an interoceanic cablegram also arrived, announcing the death
of Secchi.
In 1880 the instrument was installed in the center of a large hall of the observatory, while the elements, such as the anemometer, the pluviometer, etc. which had
to be installed outside, were on a terrace adjacent to it (Báracena 1880: 34, 75–76).
Two persons (a certain engineer Perezu and his assistant Davis), who assembled the
apparatus, were in charge of it and solved some problems related to its functioning.
Up until 1880 this meteorograph, probably the last to be made, was essentially
tested by comparing its indications with the standard instruments of the observatory.
2 See https://theplan.it/eng/award-2017-renovation/refurbishment-of-lobservatoire-de-zi-kaweixuhui-shanghai-1 and http://www.xjh.sh.cn/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=44:
xjhgxt&catid=11&Itemid=116&lang=en (accessed 20.03.2020).
3 See also http://www.senado.gob.mx/comisiones/recursos_hidraulicos/docs/doc22.pdf) and
https://historiadelaastronomia.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/la-fundacic3b3n-oan.pdf (accessed
20.03.2020).
P. Brenni
meteorograph was modified in 1903 in order to measure pressure with more precision, but from an old picture, it is clear that the instrument was just a large Secchi
balance barograph enclosed in a wooden showcase (Shu Jiaxin 1997: 513); the
barograph does not seem to be derived from a modified meteorograph. On it, a large
brass plate had the inscription: E. BRASSART ROMA (Fig. 10.9).
In spite of a long investigation, it has been impossible to determine the fate of
these two instruments, which were probably removed in the twentieth century. The
historical building of the Zi-Ka-Wei Observatory, which has been modified several
times, was recently refurbished and today hosts the Shanghai meteorological museum.
2
In its display there is a framed engraving illustrating the Secchi meteorograph
of the 1867 exhibition (and not the one of the observatory) with the quite incorrect
caption: “…One of these devices was delivered to the Zikawei observatory. It was
never fully used, and served more as a display piece.”
10.3.7 Mexico City (1878)
The Observatorio Meteorológico y Astronomico of Mexico City was founded in
1877 (Comisión National de Agua 2012).
3
For a very short time, the observatory
was installed in the Palacio National; in 1878 it was moved to the Castillo de
Chapultepec. Here a meteorograph made under the supervision of Father Secchi
was installed. The apparatus, which was identical to the one installed at Collegio
Romano Observatory, was ordered in the same year by the secretary of the Ministry
of Development from the Brassart brothers in Rome. On November 28, Secchi
wrote a letter where he affirmed that he had examined the meteorograph and found
it completed and in perfect working order (Báracena 1878: 436). The machine
arrived in 1878 in Mexico City and was officially presented on March 5. Almost at
the same time, an interoceanic cablegram also arrived, announcing the death
of Secchi.
In 1880 the instrument was installed in the center of a large hall of the observatory, while the elements, such as the anemometer, the pluviometer, etc. which had
to be installed outside, were on a terrace adjacent to it (Báracena 1880: 34, 75–76).
Two persons (a certain engineer Perezu and his assistant Davis), who assembled the
apparatus, were in charge of it and solved some problems related to its functioning.
Up until 1880 this meteorograph, probably the last to be made, was essentially
tested by comparing its indications with the standard instruments of the observatory.
2 See https://theplan.it/eng/award-2017-renovation/refurbishment-of-lobservatoire-de-zi-kaweixuhui-shanghai-1 and http://www.xjh.sh.cn/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=44:
xjhgxt&catid=11&Itemid=116&lang=en (accessed 20.03.2020).
3 See also http://www.senado.gob.mx/comisiones/recursos_hidraulicos/docs/doc22.pdf) and
https://historiadelaastronomia.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/la-fundacic3b3n-oan.pdf (accessed
20.03.2020).
P. Brenni