Astronomers at work - A study of the replicability of 19th century astronomical practice

This book presents a detailed analysis ofsome highly significant astronomical instruments designed in the German statesduring the 19th century: Carl Steinheil'sastronomical drawing-board, Karl Friedrich Zöllner's astro-photometerand Oswald Lohse's astro-camera.Based on these instruments, the author shows how, by rebuilding these instruments and practisingwith them, significant historical insightscan be gained. The author demonstrateshow observers interacted with new instrument designs and how differentobservers using new types of instrumentscould reach agreement. The newly founded Astronomische Gesellschaft enabled arapid distribution of these new instruments together with the communicationof observations.This book argues that in the new discipline of astro-photometry,scientific practice eventually overcame theoretical doubts.

Product details

• Authors: Klaus Staubermann
• Publisher: Deutsch (Harri)
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 08.01.2008
• EAN: 9783817118106
• ISBN: 978-3-8171-1810-6
• No. of pages: 160
• Weight: 206 g
• Series: Acta Historica Astronomiae; Acta Historica Astronomiae
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Physics, astronomy > Astronomy; Astronomie