A survey of European astronomical tables in the late Middle Ages [electronic resource] / by José Chabás and Bernard R. Goldstein.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Chabás, José, 1948-

Contributor:

Goldstein, Bernard R.

Series:

Time, astronomy, and calendars ; v. 2.

Time, astronomy, and calendars, 2211-632X ; v. 2

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Astronomy, Medieval--Europe.

Astronomy, Medieval.

Astronomy--Tables--History--To 1500.

Astronomy.

Ephemerides--Europe--History--To 1500.

Ephemerides.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (270 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Leiden ; Boston : Brill, 2012.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

A Survey of European Astronomical Tables in the Late Middle Ages is a first attempt to classify and illustrate the numerous astronomical tables compiled from about the 10th century to the early 16th century in the Latin West. The compilation of astronomical tables was a major and dynamic intellectual enterprise. These tables respond to a wide variety of astronomical problems and computational needs, and contain a large number of ingenious solutions proposed by astronomers over the centuries. In the absence of algebraic notation and mathematical graphing techniques, a table was often the best way to transmit precise information to the reader. Indeed, an astronomical table is not a just a list of data, but a structured way to present numerical information of astronomical interest. \'...the whole book which is an excellent guide for all those who are interested in the history of medieval European astronomy and, especially, in medieval astronomical tables.\' Julio Samsó, University of Barcelona

Contents:

Preliminary Material

Introduction

Chapter One Chronology

Chapter Two Trigonometry and Spherical Astronomy

Chapter Three Equation of Time

Chapter Four Precession and Apogees

Chapter Five Mean Motions and Radices

Chapter Six Equations

Chapter Seven True Positions

Chapter Eight Velocity

Chapter Nine Latitude

Chapter Ten Stations and Retrogradations

Chapter Eleven Visibility of the Moon and the Planets

Chapter Twelve Parallax

Chapter Thirteen Syzygies

Chapter Fourteen Planetary Conjunctions

Chapter Fifteen Eclipses

Chapter Sixteen Fixed Stars

Chapter Seventeen Geographical Lists

Chapter Eighteen Astrology

Chapter Nineteen Miscellaneous Tables

List of Manuscripts

Bibliography

Index.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1-280-69858-6

9786613675545

90-04-23059-9

OCLC:

795781035

Publisher Number:

10.1163/9789004230590 DOI