Evening Editions: The Battle For Longitudes

Join us for an evening of stories of the search for Longitude.

The 18th century was the century of the Enlightenment, of science and discovery. In particular, the exploration of the great unknown: the Pacific Ocean. But in order to draw maps of these discoveries, longitudes had to be calculated. This required a reliable marine chronometer. Which superpower would be able to produce the most reliable chronometer? From 1714 until the Napoleonic wars, France and England fought a technological war that has no equivalent other than the conquest of space in the 20th century. In fact, the legacy of this competition is to send its fruits into space. This is the case of the cold atomic clock that the French National Space Research Centre will launch into space at the end of 2024.

As part of our talk, we will be displaying two marine chronometers that have played a crucial role in Australia's history: a Berthoud from the Baudin expedition and an Earnshaw from the Flinders expedition. Never before have chronometers from both expeditions been displayed together anywhere in the world. Plus we have the Museum's very own replica of Harrison's Marine Chronometer H1 on display in the gallery.

This lecture is a world first.

Enjoy a glass of bubbly or wine and cheese and fruit platters before the talk.

$30 Maritime Museum Members / $40 Non Members

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Pre talk drinks: 6.00pm - 6.45pm

Talk: 6.45pm - 8.15pm

Host or Publisher Australian National Maritime Museum - Events