Thomas Jefferson was an amateur astronomer

In addition to serving as the third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson was an amateur astronomer. He acquired a tiny telescope in 1769 and started stargazing. He instantly developed a fascination for the planets and stars and carefully observed their motions. Jefferson also exchanged letters with other astronomers, such as famed French researcher Pierre-Simon Laplace. Jefferson urged that astronomy be taught as part of the curriculum when he helped build the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1801.

For him, knowing one's place in the universe required having a thorough comprehension of the skies. Jefferson's Virginia estate, Monticello, still has a replica of his telescope standing today as a tribute to his passion for astronomy. The objective lens of the telescope in this image looks to be around two inches in diameter, and the telescope tube and mount are primarily composed of brass. Another telescope that Jefferson owned, known as a "micrometer," is also on exhibit at Monticello. This one belonged to Francis Hopkinson before being passed on to Thomas Jefferson. It was handed to Benjamin Franklin by the French astronomer Alexis Rochon. It has an Icelandic crystal 2-1/6-inch objective lens. Brass, leather, pressed board, paper, and cloth make up the telescopic tube, which folds from a length of 19 inches when open to 14 inches when closed.