Tent scene on mount Guajara, 8903 feet high before 1886

Charles Piazzi Smyth, an astronomer and photographer, captured this scene of tents on Mount Guajara in the Canary Islands, likely taken during his 1856 expedition to observe the transit of Venus. The photograph, a small but detailed image, offers a glimpse into the harsh conditions of scientific expeditions in the 19th century. The scene highlights the use of photography in scientific exploration, as Smyth utilized this new medium to document his findings and share them with the world.