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In search of William Gascoigne : seventeenth century astronomer / David Sellers.

Springer Nature - Springer Physics and Astronomy eBooks 2012 English International Available online

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Format:
Book
Author/Creator:
Sellers, David.
Series:
Astrophysics and space science library ; v. 390.
Astrophysics and space science library, 0067-0057 ; 390
Language:
English
Subjects (All):
Gascoigne, William, 1612-1644.
Gascoigne, William.
Astronomers--Great Britain--Biography.
Astronomers.
Physical Description:
1 online resource (219 p.)
Edition:
1st ed. 2012.
Place of Publication:
New York, NY : Springer, c2012.
Language Note:
English
Summary:
William Gascoigne (c.1612-44), the first inventor of the telescopic sight and micrometer—instruments crucial to the advance of astronomy—was killed in the English Civil War. His name is now known to historians of science around the world, but for some considerable time after his tragic death at the age of 32, it seemed as if his achievements would be consigned to oblivion. Most of his papers were lost in the maelstrom of war and the few that seemed to have survived later disappeared. This is the story of how his work was rescued. Woven into that story is an account of the state of astronomy and optics during Gascoigne’s lifetime, so that the reader can appreciate the significance of his discoveries. A substantial appendix presents selected extracts from Gascoigne's correspondence. This includes much new material that has not been previously published and illustrates his efforts to explain the basis of his pioneering techniques to the satisfaction of his contemporaries. .
Contents:
Part 1: The ‘Discovery’ of William Gascoigne
Introduction
The Gascoignes of Thorp-On-The-Hill
The ‘Discovery’ of William Gascoigne
A ‘Light of the First Magnitude’
Derham and de la Hire
Bevis and de la Hire
In His Own Hand
Part 2: Gascoigne’s World
The Religious World of William Gascoigne
The Optical World of William Gascoigne
The Astronomical World of William Gascoigne
Part 3: Digging Further
The Flamsteed Transcriptions
Bodleian Transcriptions
British Library MSS and Other Transcriptions
The Civil War and After
The Road to Civil War
After Marston Moor
The Legacy of William Gascoigne.
Notes:
Description based upon print version of record.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN:
1-283-62374-9
9786613936196
1-4614-4097-1
OCLC:
806957513

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