Astronomea: a gorgeous, handmade, astronomy inspired desk lamp

Art Donovan (previously) writes, "Delivered. A very special design commission for the Project Director of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope. A 'white glove' delivery, in fact. The first lamp in 28 years that I simply could not trust to survive theravages of FedEx."

It took a while to complete, as it grew more ambitious by the week. I went,"O.G" for the design- "Original Galileo", using his telescopes first threeastronomical targets as visual influence: The Moon, Jupiter and Saturn. Atthe outset, the Director suggested I use the newly discovered 'Trappist-1System of Exoplanets' as inspiration. But there was no visual imageavailable that I could use to base the overall design upon...

So Vintage Astronomy I went.

"Astronomea" has two optional domes: One in white for ambient light at hisdesk at Goddard/NASA and one with a rear-pained "Jupiter" for when he's inan "astronomical" mood. The tapered maple base reflects the shape of theHarvard "Great Refractor" Telescope commissioned in 1847-the very firsttelescope commisioned by the U.S. government.. The task lamp has a diffuserinspired by the barn doors on observatory domes. The arc with brass markersreminiscent of navigational sextants. Hand painted Jupiter, Moon and Saturnrings with custom brass dimmer knobs. All in, the lamp has the look of asmall scale astronomical device from the 19th century.

"Astronomea" The first of 5 new illuminated designs with a vintage, science-y influence. [Art Donovan]

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