Merz and Mahler Refracting Telescope: The Great Refractor

With the lens built by the German telescope building company Merz and Mahler, this 15 inch (or 1.25 feet) refracting telescope was constructed in the Harvard compound, in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1847.

For two decades, the Merz and Mahler Refracting Telescope, which is more popularly known as the Great Refractor, was the largest astronomical telescope in the United States.

The Great Refractor was housed by the Harvard College Observatory, Harvard University’s center of research on astronomy.

During its time, the Harvard’s refracting telescope was popular for being instrumental in capturing and producing very vivid and detailed images of the moon. In fact, some of these images won recognition in the international photography exhibition at the London Crystal Palace.

Another important achievement was the eighth satellite and inner ring of Saturn, which was a feat of father and son W. Bond and George Bond.

Still another achievement was the daguerreotype of the star Vega.

Other important astronomical finds done with the 15 inch refracting telescope was the discovery of asteroids and other near earth objects.

Today, the Great Refractor is used mainly for observation purposes and students’ astronomical researches.