Giovanni Domenico Cassini : a modern astromomer in the 17th century / Gabriella Bernardi.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Bernardi, Gabriella, author.

Series:

Springer biographies

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Cassini, Giovanni Domenico, 1625-1712.

Cassini, Giovanni Domenico.

Astronomers--Italy--Biography.

Astronomers.

Italy.

Genre:

Biographies.

Physical Description:

xi, 186 pages : illustrations, (some color), maps (some color) ; 23 cm.

Other Title:

Cassini : a modern astromomer in the 17th century

Place of Publication:

[Cham, Switzerland] : Springer, [2017]

Summary:

This book offers a fascinating account of the life and scientific achievements of Giovanni Domenico Cassini, or Cassini I, the most famous astronomer of his time, who is remembered today especially for his observations of the rings and satellites of Saturn and his earlier construction of the great meridian line in the Basilica of San Petronio in Bologna. The various stages of his life are recounted in an engaging style, from his early childhood in Perinaldo and his time at the famous Jesuit College in Genoa, to his later experiences in Bologna and Paris. The emphasis, however, is on the scientific side of his life. The book explores his impressive body of work in diverse fields while also drawing attention to the international character of his endeavors, the rigor of his research, and his outstanding management skills, which combined to make him an early embodiment of the "European scientist." It was also these abilities that gained him the attention of the most powerful king in Europe, Louis XIV of France (the "Sun King"), under the auspices of whom he set up the Paris Observatory in 1671. He would go on to serve as Director of the Observatory, where he would make the majority of his scientific discoveries, for the rest of his life.

Contents:

1 Introduction

Part 1 Liguria

2 Perinaldo, land of astronomers

3 Genoa and the college of the Jesuits

Part II Bologna

4 Castle of Panzano

5 Archiginnasio

6 Comet 1652, the first

7 The meridian line or heliometer in the Basilica of San Petronio

8 Superintendent of public waters

9 The Queen and the comet

10 And the winner is...

11 Jupiter et al.

12 Ephemerides Bononienses Mediceorum Syderum

Part III Paris

13 Louis XIV

14 The new observatory

15 Sunspots

16 Saturn

17 Jean Dominique Cassini

18 Cassini maps

19 Journey to Italy

20 Cassini dynasty

21 Nephews Maraldi

22 A bit of dark, a bit of light, a bit of space

23 Conclusion.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN:

9783319634678

3319634674

OCLC:

992747860

Publisher Number:

99974491647