One can imagine an old wizard, Albus
Dumbledore perhaps, peering into the
clear globe of this mystery object.
Invented in 1853 by Scottish Gaelic scholar
John Campell, this object consists of a 10cm
(4”) diameter glass sphere mounted in a bowl
with evenly cut grooves in it. The metal base
plate must be mounted level, and is squared
on the right-hand end and rounded on its left-
hand end, which must point due north.
In 1879 it was adapted and improved
by physicist and mathematician Sir George
Gabriel Stokes.
We know you can Google, but where’s
the fun in that? Tell us what you think it is.
The correct answer – and the most creative
reply – will be published in the next issue.
[email protected]GUESS THE OBJECT
Issue 86 COSMOS – 21