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Re. Kew Observatory:

It's a good point to include references I agree, which is something I always do if possible - in good scientific tradition. Perhaps I should have done in this case, however I already knew it was a chronometer repair and calibration facility, had historic links to the transit of Venus, and with Harrison, and it saved time copy/paste the article.

It's interest for me was the historic aspect as the King's observatory where they made observations of the Transit of Venus, and also checked one of Harrison's early chronometers. The well-authenticated case of the chronometer being found to be wildly 'out' due to a strong magnet in the same cabinet/drawers as the chronometer is one of those amusing but curious anecdotes which make me wonder of this was the first time it was found out that magnetism affected timepieces / chronometers.
It was the King incidentally, who eventually forced the longitude board to cough-up with the prize money for Harrison (by then in his old age) which was his due long before.

I looked for further confirming information about the observatory's history as I think it must have been an Admiralty facility, but found it very sketchy. I believe they used it as a facility to check/calibrate compasses too - though I am not sure of that part of their past. It is just a small metrology weather measuring station now.

Douglas Denny.
Chichester. England.
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