Yorkshire, England’s largest county, has a rich astronomical history. Halifax’s Henry Briggs introduced log tables and one of the first star maps in England; Sir Henry Savile founded the Savilian Professorship of Astronomy at Oxford University and two local men Edward Crossley and Jeremiah Shakerley were at the forefront of using telescopes.
Hear their stories and other tales of astronomy from Halifax,
Martin studied for his Open University degree in astrophysics whilst working as a guard on British Railways. Later he worked as curator of Astronomy at the Yorkshire Museum in York and was awarded an MBE for his services to the science and to education. On the Antique Road Show he talked about the York telescope maker Thomas Cooke… and he has plenty of stories to tell.

