While earlier telescope builders guarded their secrets, William Parsons made his widely available.
He published details of his techniques and presented them to the Belfast Natural History Society.
The images he obtained using his telescope were widely circulated within the British commonwealth.
The mirror was 5 inches thick and weighed almost 3 tons.
The telescope was mounted between two massive stone walls for support.
A system of chains, pulleys and counterweights kept the telescope in balance.
Because astronomical photography was in its infancy at the time, Parsons made sketches of what he saw instead.
Of the original two mirrors, one was lost while the other is preserved in Londons Science Museum.
Today, a replica of the Leviathan of Parsonstown stands at the site of the original telescope.
Sketch made by Lord Rosse of the Whirlpool Galaxy in 1845.
Photo credit: public domain
Replica of the Leviathan of Parsonstown in Birr, Ireland.
Photo credit:Geni/Wikimedia
Sources:Wikipedia/www.historyireland.com
