Mathematical Astronomy in Copernicus’ De Revolutionibus: In Two Parts
When I first laid out the framework for A History of Ancient Mathe matical Astronomy, I intended to carry the discussion down to the last applications of Greek astronomical methodology, i. e. Copernicus, Brahe, and Kepler. But as the work proceeded, it became evident that this plan was much too ambitious, and so I decided to terminate my History with late antiquity, well before Islam. Nevertheless, I did not discard the running commentary that I had prepared when studying De revolutionibus in its relation to the methodology of the Almagest. Only recently, E. S. Kennedy and his collaborators had opened access to the" Maragha School" (mainly Ibn ash-Shalir), revealing close parallels to Copernicus's procedures. Accordingly, it seemed useful to make available a modern analysis of De revolutionibus, and thus in 1975 I prepared for publication "Notes on Copernicus. " In the meantime, however, Noel Swerdlow, also starting from Greek astronomy, not only extended his work into a deep analysis of De revolu tionibus, but also systematically investigated its sources and predecessors (Peurbach, Regiomontanus, etc. ). I was aware of these studies through his publications as well as from numerous conversations on the subject at The Institute for Advanced Study and at Brown University. It became clear to me that my own investigations lay at too superficial a level, and I therefore withdrew my manuscript and suggested to Swerdlow that he undertake a thoroughgoing revision and amplification of my "Notes. " His acceptance of my proposal initiated the present publication.
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Contents
The Motions of the Earth
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3 |
Chronology of Copernicuss Life
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30 |
Figures 563
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47 |
Copyright
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23 other sections not shown
Common terms and phrases
Alfonsine Tables Almagest angle apogee apparent diameter apsidal line argument of latitude Book circle column Commentariolus computed conjunction Coper Copernicus gives Copernicus says Copernicus's Copernicus's model Corr correct correctly Cracow derivation difference e₁ earth eccentric anomaly edition epicycle Epitome epoch equation of center equinox error Frauenburg geocentric given greatest elongation heliocentric Hipparchus inclination inequality inferior planets intervals Jupiter latitude theory lunar theory Mars maximum equation mean anomaly mean motions mean sun Mercury meridian moon Nabonassar Nuremberg oblique ascension Olympiad opposition orbital plane parallax parameters perigee period Peurbach planetary theory position precession problem Ptolemy Ptolemy's model r₁ r₂ radius Regiomontanus revolutionibus Rheticus right ascension rotation Saturn shown in Fig sidereal longitude sin¹ solar theory spheres spherical astronomy Spica star superior planets syzygy tabulated translation triangle tropical longitude true anomaly true sun values variation Venus Warmia zenith distance ΔΕ ΔΙ