There can be little doubt that it was because of the giant telescopes that were being built at the end of the 18th and for most of the 19th century that the modern study of nebulae began. Also of immense significance, however, was the fundamental role-played by paper and pencil. But what role did paper and the hand play in coming to terms with something as mysterious as these deep sky objects? What possibly could these paper implements of the hand contribute to the scientific observation of celestial objects that no hand could ever touch, twist or twirl? And in contrast to pencil and paper, wh ... More

There can be little doubt that it was because of the giant telescopes that were being built at the end of the 18th and for most of the 19th century that the modern study of nebulae began. Also of immense significance, however, was the fundamental role-played by paper and pencil. But what role did paper and the hand play in coming to terms with something as mysterious as these deep sky objects? What possibly could these paper implements of the hand contribute to the scientific observation of celestial objects that no hand could ever touch, twist or twirl? And in contrast to pencil and paper, when photography was finally successfully applied to the nebulae very late in the century, how exactly did its methods contrast to the former? In order to answer these and other related questions about the techniques, nature and practices of scientific observation, Observing by Hand investigates the unpublished observing books and paper records of five different nineteenth century observers dedicated to the study of the nebulae: Sir John F. W. Herschel, the third Earl of Rosse, William Lassell, Ebenezer Porter Mason, and Ernst Wilhelm Leberecht Tempel. The book argues that rather than being mere aide memoire, hand drawn images operated as tools for seeing better with, for directing observation, for selection and judgement, for stabilizing the image of the phenomena, for consolidating and coordinating hands and eyes, and for making out details otherwise barely perceptible. The work explores the relationship between observing, the act of drawing, and the constitution of scientific phenomena.