From Robert Boyle's New Experiments Physico-Mechanical.
ID number
RB-RB1662-1
Title
Diagram of the human hand, from Giordano Bruno's discussion of the properties of the number 5 in De monade numero et figura.
Abstract
De monade numero et figura (On the Monad, Number and Figure) is part of the trilogy of Latin verse works published in Frankfurt in 1591 and considered to be Bruno's philosophical testament. In the De monade Bruno discusses Pythagorean number symbolism and the meanings of the numbers 1 to 10.
ID number
RB-GB1591
Title
Illustration of Torbern Bergman's chemical apparatus from Opuscula Physica et Chemica.
Abstract
This translation from the original Latin is by Edmund Cullen. It includes notes and illustrations by Cullen and was published in 1784 by J. Murray, London.
ID number
RB-TB1784
Title
Portrait of Giovanni Domenico Cassini
Abstract
Portrait of Cassini from his account of his heliometer in Bologna, published 40 years after its installation in La Meridiana del tempio di S. Petronio..., 1695.
ID number
RB-GC1695-1
Title
Cassini's heliometer
Abstract
The church of San Petronio in Bologna was the site of a solar observatory as early as 1576 when Egnazio Danti, cosmographer to Cosimo I de' Medici, installed the first meridian line there. Unfortunately it did not fulfill its purpose, which was to provide an accurate date for the spring equinox, thence Easter. In spite of uncertainties about the precise length of the solar year, the Gregorian calendar was promulgated anyway, in 1582. We still use it today. Almost 75 years later, the opportunity arose to reconstruct the meridian. Enter a 29-year-old astronomy professor named Giovanni Domenico Cassini. Cassini increased the height of Danti's solar peephole—or gnomon hole—to 1000 inches (based on the French foot) or 27.07 meters above the church floor. The length of the meridian line was increased by x2.5 to 66.71 meters, or 1/600,000 of the Earth's circumference, per Cassini's calculation. The line had to run on the floor between the aisles and columns of the church on a north-south axis without obstruction. The instrument was tested with great fanfare at the summer solstice of 1655 and proved fully successful. Cassini's illustrated account of his heliometer was published 40 years later in 1695 with the title La Meridiana del tempio di S. Petronio. The image shown here is taken from a large foldout plate depicting the design and details of installation.
ID number
RB-GC1695-2
Title
Engraving designed by Kepler
Abstract
Engraved frontispiece to Kepler's Rudolphine Tables (Tabulae Rudolphinae) showing the great astronomers (including Kepler) gathered in the temple of Urania. Designed by Kepler himself; engraved by Georg Celer.
ID number
RB-JK1627-1
Title
Kepler - Model of the Universe
Abstract
Model of the universe (the outermost sphere is Saturn's) from Johannes Kepler' s "Mysterium Cosmographicum" (1597, edition of 1621) Count Rocco Collection.
ID number
RB-JK1596-4
Title
Map of the world
Abstract
From Kepler's "Rudolphine Tables." (1627).
ID number
RB-JK1627-2
Title
Frontispiece from book by Hevelius
Abstract
Frontispiece from Hevelius' "Machinae Coelestis Pars Prior." (1673).
ID number
RB-JH1673-1
Title
Hevelius and wife--illustration
Abstract
Hevelius and wife observing at sextant from Hevelius' "Machinae Coelestis Pars Prior." (1673).
ID number
RB-JH1673-2
Title
Equatorial armillary instrument, from Tycho Brahe, Astronomiae instauratae Mechanica
ID number
RB-TB1602-19
Title
"Scrooge's third visitor"--Dickens
ID number
RB-CD1843-1
Title
"Mr. Fezziwig's Ball"--Dickens
ID number
RB-CD1843-2
Title
The mural or Tychonian quadrant, from Tycho Brahe, Astronomiae Instauratae Mechanica
ID number
RB-TB1602-18
Title
Heliocentric model of the universe
Abstract
From Copernicus, “De Re. . .”, 1st ed. (pg. 10)
ID number
RB-NC1543-1
Title
Hamilton, Sir William, “Campi Phlegraei: Observations on the Volcanos of the Two Sicilies, plate 9.
Abstract
One of 54 plates by Peter Fabris illustrating volcanis activity in the region of Naples. Sir William Hamilton was at this time royal envoy to the Count of Naples and published his investigations of volcanos for the Royal Society.
ID number
RB-WH1779-1
Title
Hamilton, Sir William, “Campi Phlegraei: Observations on the Volcanos of the Two Sicilies, plate 37.
Abstract
One of 54 plates by Peter Fabris illustrating volcanis activity in the region of Naples. Sir William Hamilton was at this time royal envoy to the Count of Naples and pubished his investigations of volcanos for the Royal Society.
ID number
RB-WH1779-2
Title
Illustration from Kepler's "Harmonices Mundi" (Harmonies of the World).
Abstract
Rocco Collection, History of Science.
ID number
RB-JK1619A-1
Title
Otto von Guericke, “Experimenta Nova...” (New Magdeburg Experiments)
Abstract
Illustration showing experiment of the Magdeburg hemispheres in which horses could not pull apart the vacuum created within the hemispheres. Watson Collection, History of Science.
ID number
RB-OG1672-1
Title
Title page: “Nova Reperta” (New Discoveries)
Abstract
Shows nine new discoveries of the time. The collection consists of twenty plates showing new discoveries, including navigation by compass. Watson Collection, History of Science.
