BRITISH METEOROLOGICAL-INSTRUMENT HISTORY / WIDER WEATHER OBSERVATION · OBJECTS

Campbell–Stokes sunshine-recorder study

What it means: Its documented association is the material history of weather observation and the limits of measurement.

The Campbell–Stokes recorder used a glass sphere to focus sunlight onto a recording card. The Met Office distinguishes sunshine duration from total solar radiation and notes a passing-cloud limitation. Science Museum Group’s 1899 example shows a historic metal support and card-holder type, preserving the instrument as evidence of how observations were made.

A modern editorial prompt to notice the light that arrives and question how it is recorded.

Often chosen for: Care, gratitude & remembrance · Curiosity, creativity & wonder

Respectful use: This is a newly composed historical instrument-type study, not an exact museum specimen or manufacturer housing. The blank seated card supplies no calibrated result. Sunshine duration differs from total solar radiation, and the documented method has measurement limitations. No divination, solar-focusing instruction, safety function, navigation function or accuracy claim is made. This is original generated decorative artwork, not an exact site survey, artifact replica or operating guide. Blue and gold are editorial colors. No institutional or community endorsement is claimed. No blanket commercial or manufacturing clearance is claimed.

Sources: [1] weather.metoffice.gov.uk [2] collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk [3] collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk [4] collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk