Leviathan of Parsonstown

Leviathan of Parsonstown, or Rosse six-foot telescope, is a historic reflecting telescope of 72 inches (1.83 m) aperture, which was the largest telescope in the world from 1845 until the construction of the 100-inch (2.5 m) Hooker Telescope in California in 1917. The Rosse six-foot telescope was built by William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse on his estate, Birr Castle, at Parsonstown (now Birr) in Ireland.

Leviathan of Parsonstown
Victorian picture of the "Leviathan of Parsonstown"
Alternative namesGreat Rosse
Named afterLeviathan 
Location(s)Birr Castle, Birr, County Offaly, Leinster, Ireland
Coordinates53°05′48″N 7°55′03″W
Observing time60 nights per year 
Built1842–1846 (1842–1846)
First light15 February 1845 
Telescope styleastronomical observatory
Newtonian telescope 
Diameter72 inches (183 cm)
Focal length16 m (52 ft 6 in)
Mountingaltazimuth mount 
Websitebirrcastle.com/telescope-astronomy/
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