Die Sonnenfinsternisse von 1654 und 1706

In early modern times, solar eclipses were feared events that gave rise to much astrological speculation, even though these events could already be predicted long in advance. Around 1700, the situation was already different. Astrology had lost its status as a science and had largely been pushed out...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Studia Leibnitiana 2022-01, Vol.54 (1), p.9-40
Main Author: Gaab, Hans
Format: Article
Language:ger
Subjects:
Cartography
Solar eclipses
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:In early modern times, solar eclipses were feared events that gave rise to much astrological speculation, even though these events could already be predicted long in advance. Around 1700, the situation was already different. Astrology had lost its status as a science and had largely been pushed out of the universities. On the other hand solar eclipses had become very important for cartography. From the beginning and end times of the eclipse at different locations, the differences of their geographical coordinates could be calculated. The changed situation can be illustrated perfectly by the eclipses of August 12, 1654 and May 12, 1706. Whereas in 1654 there were still many astrologically influenced warnings, in 1706 there was great calm in this respect, and instead numerous astronomers tried to record the event correctly and compare their results with those of other observers.
ISSN:0039-3185
2366-228X
DOI:10.25162/SL-2022-0002