German 10 Mark note
10 (Zehn) Deutsche Mark note celebarting Gauss
Obtained from Germany
Product details: German 10 Mark note | | Stamps and coins | | Material: Paper
This is a note that was actually a leftover from travels to Germany in the time when the Euro was not the European coin (before 2002). The note is depicting Gauss (portrait) and his famous curve of the normal distribution on the front. On the back is a small part of the Gauss triangulation from 1821 to 1825 (small) as well as what at first appears a double plate pillar sextant. When looking at the picutre a bit closer the sextant has a 'funny' aspect in that it has two index mirrors. It actually is not a sextant but a Vize Heliptrope invented by Gauss and used to create a bright dot of light as a reference point.
Gaus ovbiously started with the regular double frame pillar sextant but added another mirror. The second mirror is set up in such a way that it gives a single reflection when the bottom mirror gives a double reflection. As a result, when aiming the telescope at a target (the theodolite) and bringing the sun into coincidence with the target (trought the filters), the sun is actually also reflected towards the target thus creating a bright light point which can be maintained at the same point by adjusting the mirror. The Vize heliotrope was placed on a stand to keep it stable. The original is in Gottingen.
More information
10 mark note
Data sheet
- Year
- 1991
- Material
- Paper
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10 (Zehn) Deutsche Mark note celebarting Gauss
Obtained from Germany
Product details: German 10 Mark note | | Stamps and coins | | Material: Paper