Bologna Astronomical Museum

Globe of Venus by F. Bianchini , Rome, 1727

In Hesperi et Phosphori nova phaenomena Francesco Bianchini epitomizes the observations of Venus he had made in Rome with a 21 metres telescope, leading him to the discovery of the constant inclination of the axis to the plan of the orbit. The volume presents drawings and instructions to make the globe itself.

In return for his offer of the globe of Venus, the King of Portugal gave Bianchini a precious telescope with a silver base, which nowadays has been lost.