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Published June 6, 2021 | public
Journal Article

Theoricae novae planetarum Georgii Peurbachii dans l'histoire de l'astronomie [Book Review]

Abstract

Georg Peurboch's Theoricae novae planetarum has a unique history inseparable from the very beginning of scientific printing, so we shall begin with that history. In the spring of 1471, Johannes Regiomontanus made his way to Nuremberg, the great commercial centre of southern Germany and of trade between Northern Europe and Italy, of merchants who imported and exported manufactured goods, and craftsmen with skills to construct precision instruments. Shortly after his arrival, on 4 July 1471, he wrote a letter to one Master Christian of Erfurt, 'the most outstanding of mathematicians', who has been identified, although not certainly, with Christian Roder, the Rector or the University of Erfurt. He told Master Christian of a plan for a restoration of astronomy, for which he has already laid some foundations, but since the task is too difficult and nearly impossible for one man, it will be required to coordinate the work of several observers making frequent observations of the stars. He asks Master Christian to send any investigations or observations he may have, and when this cooperative venture in scientific research has advanced sufficiently, he will correct the numbers in tables. 'And when that is done, if God be favourable, I will compose ephemerides of the planets, called an almanac, for thirty or more years by a letter press for friends everywhere (charactere pressili pro amics universis). Now here is something noteworthy, indeed, unprecedented.

Additional Information

© 2021 Taylor & Francis. Essay Review of Michela Malpangotto, Sources, edition critique, avec traduction française, commentaire technique, diffussion du XVe au XVIIe Siècle. Paris: CNRS Éditions, 2020. 751pp. 65.00 €. ISBN-10: 2271134587, ISBN-13: 978-2271134585.

Additional details

Created:
August 20, 2023
Modified:
October 23, 2023