The 2010 AGM offered members the chance to reassess just what comprises a scientific instrument!

On Friday 23rd July members visited the world renowned Whipple Museum of the History of Science. The Museum holds an internationally important collection of scientific instruments and models, dating from the Middle Ages to the present. It is particularly noted for its collections of microscopes, telescopes, sundials, optical and navigational instruments, but there are many other specialised collections as well. Although necessary refurbishment work had led to the temporary removal of some exhibits there was still an enormous number of things to interest our membership.

Overnight accommodation was avaialble at Churchill College. On one of the hottest weekends of the year we hope that conditions were bearable!

On Saturday 24 July, after chasing up the promised projector, the following talks were delivered:

• Boris Jardine: Instrumental Knowledge
• Josh Knall: Mars Globes
• Lavinia Maddaluno: Wax Models of Apples from Turin
• Michael Pritchard: PhD Research

After a sandwich lunch the group set off in convoy for a motor safari around the Mullard Observatory, an account of which may be found in our News Archive and pictures of which may be viewed by members of the society in our online gallery. As our Chairman commented at the end, these were some of the largest scientific instruments we had viewed close-up and although spread over a vast geographical area (and indeed used in conjuntion with instruments at other sites) they still form a 'collection' of great interest.