scholarly journals José Monteiro da Rocha (1734–1819) and His 1782 Work on the Determination of Comet Orbits

2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 461-481
Author(s):  
Fernando B. Figueiredo ◽  
João Fernandes
Keyword(s):  
Royal Academy ◽  
History Of Astronomy ◽  
Easy Method ◽  
International Astronomical ◽  
Parabolic Orbit ◽  
History Of ◽  
Parabolic Orbits ◽  
The University ◽  
Academy Of Sciences

In 1782 José Monteiro da Rocha, astronomer and professor at the University of Coimbra, presented, in a public session of the Royal Academy of Sciences of Lisbon, a memoire on the problem of the determination of the orbits of comets. Only in 1799 would the “ Determinação das Orbitas dos Cometas” (Determination of the orbits of comets) be published in the Academy’s memoires. In that work, Monteiro da Rocha presents a method for solving the problem of the determination of the parabolic orbit of a comet making use of three observations. Monteiro da Rocha’s method is essentially the same as the method proposed by Olbers and published under von Zach’s sponsorship 2 years before, in 1797. Having been written and published in Portuguese was certainly a hindrance for its dissemination among the international astronomical community. In this paper, we intend to present Monteiro da Rocha’s method and try to explain to what extent we can justify Gomes Teixeira’s assertion that Monteiro da Rocha and Olbers must figure together in the history of astronomy, as the first inventors of a practical and easy method for the determination of parabolic orbits of comets.

scholarly journals Manuel dos Reis e a Astronomia em Portugal de 1930 a 1970

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 550-567
Author(s):  
Jorge Cardoso ◽  
Décio Martins ◽  
Helmuth Malonek ◽  
Carlos Fiolhais
Keyword(s):  
Astronomical Observatory ◽  
History Of Astronomy ◽  
Teaching And Research ◽  
Meteorological Observatory ◽  
History Of ◽  
The University ◽  
Academy Of Sciences

Resumo Descreve-se a evolução do Observatório Astronómico da Universidade de Coimbra de 1930 a 1970, destacando- se o exercício das funções de diretor por Manuel dos Reis (1900-1992), de 1934 a 1970. Fonte primordial é o espólio documental de Manuel dos Reis à guarda do Arquivo da Universidade de Coimbra, que inclui programas, lições, problemas, exames, estudos e notas, e outros manuscritos sobre História da Astronomia, Astronomia (Geral, Mecânica, Esférica e Geodésica), Astronomia Medieval, e Astronomia Náutica dos Descobrimentos. Engloba ainda listas bibliográficas, rascunhos das comunicações e discursos sobre Astronomia Náutica proferidos na Academia das Ciências de Lisboa. Apresenta-se, em particular, um documento datilografado, inédito, provavelmente da década de 30, com o título “Reorganização do ensino da Astronomia e da investigação astronómica”, onde Reis, após descrever brevemente a história da Astronomia, refere a Astrofísica como o “novo capítulo da Astronomia”, e reflete sobre o ensino e investigação da Astronomia, e sobre o funcionamento dos Observatórios Astronómicos de Coimbra e de Lisboa (Tapada da Ajuda), e do Observatório Meteorológico do Porto (Serra do Pilar).Palavras-chave: História da Astronomia em Portugal; Astrofísica, Observatório Astronómico da Universidade de Coimbra. Abstract The evolution of the Astronomical Observatory of the University of Coimbra from 1930 to 1970 is described, highlighting Manuel dos Reis (1900-1992) role as director from 1934 to 1970. Main source is the collection of Manuel dos Reis documentation in the Archive of the University of Coimbra, which includes programs, lessons, problems, exams, studies and notes and other manuscripts on the History of Astronomy, Astronomy (General, Mechanical, Spherical and Geodesical), Medieval Astronomy, Nautical Astronomy of the Portuguese Discoveries. It also includes lists of bibliographical references, minutes of communications and speeches on Nautical Astronomy delivered at the Academy of Sciences of Lisbon. A typewritten, unpublished document, with the title "Reorganization of the teaching of astronomy and astronomical investigation”, probabbly from the 1930s, is presented. Reis, after a brief description of the history of Astronomy, describes Astrophysics as the "new chapter of Astronomy", reflects on the teaching and research on Astronomy, and on the operation of the Astronomical Observatories of Coimbra and Lisbon (Tapada da Ajuda), and the Meteorological Observatory of OPorto (Serra do Pilar). Keywords: History of Astronomy in Portugal; Astrophysics; Astronomical Observatory of the University of Coimbra.

scholarly journals The Role of the IAU Gleaned From Oral Histories of Individuals Involved in Astronomy in South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (S349) ◽  
pp. 240-247
Author(s):  
Lerothodi L. Leeuw ◽  
Jarita Holbrook
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Oral Histories ◽  
History Of Astronomy ◽  
Cape Of Good Hope ◽  
International Astronomical ◽  
Royal Observatory ◽  
British Colony ◽  
History Of

AbstractThe South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), formerly known as the Royal Observatory, Cape of Good Hope, will be 200 years old in 2020. Also, South Africa (SA), formerly a British colony known as the Cape of Good Hope, will celebrate her 100-year anniversary as an International Astronomical Union (IAU) member in 2020, following the IAU centenary in 2019 that this IAU Symposium 349 celebrates. In light of all this, particularly in anticipation of the 200-year anniversary of SAAO in 2020, the SA National Research Foundation (NRF) has developed a Roadmap for the History of Astronomy in South Africa. As part of this we are conducting an oral history of astronomers to complement the historical celebrations of the institutions and science relating to astronomy in SA, supported by the SA NRF. Primarily drawing on literature and setting the scene for this work, here we present a snippet of the on-going oral histories, to glean the role of the IAU in astronomy in South Africa and show the potential of the oral histories to inform and complement written history.

scholarly journals COMMISSION 41: HISTORY OF ASTRONOMY

2008 ◽  
Vol 4 (T27A) ◽  
pp. 415-419
Author(s):  
Nha Il-Seong ◽  
Clive L. N. Ruggles ◽  
Alexander A. Gurshtein ◽  
Rajesh K. Kochhar ◽  
David H. DeVorkin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
History Of Astronomy ◽  
International Astronomical Union ◽  
International Astronomical ◽  
History Of ◽  
Modern Astronomy

Commission 41 of the International Astronomical Union deals with all aspects of astronomical history and heritage from ancient sky knowledge to developments in modern astronomy that have occurred within living memory. It encourages and supports research in the history of astronomy and related fields such as archaeoastronomy and is also concerned with the identification, documentation and preservation of vital aspects of our astronomical heritage such as sites, artifacts, instruments and archives. Commission 41 is one of the largest Commissions in the Union, and is a member of Division XII on Union-Wide Activities.

scholarly journals Slavistics at St. Petersburg and Greifswald Universities (results of cooperation)

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 691-708
Author(s):  
Harry Walter ◽  
◽  
Valerij M. Mokienko ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz ◽  
State University ◽  
Peter The Great ◽  
The Status ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Government ◽  
The University ◽  
Academy Of Sciences ◽  
Slavic Studies

The article offers a review on the history of Slavic studies at St. Petersburg and Greifswald universities from the era of Peter the Great to present day. The role of Professor Lyudmila Verbitskaya is highlighted who always actively supported the activities of the Department of Slavic Philology (for example, she approved the initiative to create a department of Ukrainian studies in the early 2000s). Thanks Verbitskaya, St. Petersburg University was historically recognized as the first university in Russia founded by Peter the Great in 1724, which was proven by archival materials stored in Greifswald. Peter the Great, in the assembly hall of the University of Greifswald in September 1712, at a meeting of the Academic Council received a proposal from the President of the German Academy of Sciences Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz on the establishment of a university in St. Petersburg with a European status. The status of the first university was officially recognized by a decree of the Government of the Russian Fed- eration in 1999 when the 275th anniversary of the founding of St. Petersburg State University was celebrated. As the Rector of St. Petersburg University, Verbitskaya in 2006 concluded an inter-university agreement with the Rector of the University of Greifswald Professor Jürgen Kohler. Slavic scholars and professors from St. Petersburg and Greifswald Universities collaborate closely. One of the active pedagogical and scientific areas of such cooperation is Slavic studies, which have long combined the efforts of Russian and German philologists.

scholarly journals The Polish Ethnographic Atlas: Research Achievements and Prospects

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-94
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Pieńczak
Keyword(s):  
Material Culture ◽  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Cultural Institutions ◽  
National Scale ◽  
Government Organizations ◽  
History Of ◽  
Ethnographic Data ◽  
The University ◽  
Academy Of Sciences ◽  
Source Materials

Abstract In 1998, the source materials of the Polish Ethnographic Atlas - collected over many decades with the participation of the Institute of History of Material Culture (a unit of the Polish Academy of Sciences) and several leading ethnological centres - were moved to the Cieszyn Branch of the University of Silesia (currently the Faculty of Ethnology and Education). It was then that Z. Kłodnicki, the editor of the PEA, came up with the idea to continue and finish the atlas studies. However, the work on fulfilling the PEA, the biggest project in the history of Polish ethnology, is still going on. Nowadays, the materials of the Polish Ethnographic Atlas constitute a precious, unique in the national scale, documentary base. For several years, a lively cooperation has taken place between the PEA staff (representing the Faculty of Ethnology and Education of the University of Silesia) and various cultural institutions, government and non-government organizations. The discussed projects are usually aimed at the preservation and protection of the cultural heritage of the Polish village as well as the broadly related promotion actions for activating local communities. The workers of the Polish Ethnographic Atlas since 2014 have been also implementing the Ministry grant entitled The Polish Ethnographic Atlas - scientific elaboration, electronic database, publication of the sources in the Internet, stage I (scientific supervision: Ph.D. Agnieszka Pieńczak). What is an integral assumption of the discussed project is the scientific elaboration of three electronic catalogues, presenting the PEA resources: 1) field photographs (1955-1971) 2) the questionnaires concerning folk collecting (1948-1952), 3. the published maps (1958-2013). These materials have been selected due to their documentary value. The undertaking has brought about some measurable effects, mostly the special digital platform www.archiwumpae.us.edu.pl. This material database of ethnographic data might become the basis for designing various non-material activities aimed at preserving the cultural heritage of the Polish village.

scholarly journals Crimean Correspondents of Academician V. I. Vernadsky (1920s–1930s)

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 70-86
Author(s):  
Andrey A. Nepomnyashchy ◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Ussr Academy ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Local History ◽  
The State ◽  
Russian Academy Of Sciences ◽  
Pedagogical Institute ◽  
History Of ◽  
The University ◽  
Academy Of Sciences ◽  
Written Sources

Referring to a corpus of epistolary sources kept in the personal archival fund of academician V. I. Vernadsky in the Archive of the Russian Academy of Sciences (correspondence sent to him from Crimea) and documents from the St Petersburg branch of the RAS Archive and the Department of Written Sources of the State Historical Museum, the author restores some aspects of the daily life of Crimean local history of the 1920s–1930s. Vernadsky’s attention to people and events on the peninsula are connected with a dramatic period of his biography, i.e. his unexpected tenure as rector of the University of Taurida (October 1920 — January 1921). Thanks to the participation of the university in the activities of the Taurida Scientific Association, the academician formed a social circle of scientists from different fields of knowledge in Crimea. The analysis of Vernadsky’s correspondence helps define his range of interests related to Crimean affairs after his departure from Crimea. Vernadsky, not indifferent to the fate of Taurida University (M. V. Frunze Pedagogical Institute) (during the years in question described as Crimean University), was interested in the fate of the prominent professors who he worked with at the university in 1920. Thanks to the Crimean correspondence of A. I. Markevich, the leader of the local history movement, the author has been able to clarify the fate of individual manuscripts by V. I. and G. V. Vernadsky and the history of transfer of funds of the pioneers of comprehensive exploration of the peninsula P. I. Köppen and H. H. Steven to the Archives of the USSR Academy of Sciences. The epistolary heritage of geologists P. A. Dvoichenko and S. P. Popova, Vernadsky’s former colleagues at Taurida University, makes it possible to recreate the pages of the research of the natural productive forces of Crimea carried out in those years. In his correspondence with professors E. V. Petukhov and N. L. Ernst, Vernadsky discussed individual issues that worried scientists.

scholarly journals PERSONAL BOOK COLLECTION OF THE HISTORIAN, ARCHAEOLOGIST, NUMISMAT, PROFESSOR OF THE ODESSA UNIVERSITY P. KARYSHKOVSKYI–IKAR IN THE STOCKS OF THE SCIENTIFIC LIBRARY OF THE ODESSA I. I. MECHNIKOV NATIONAL UNIVERSITY

2021 ◽  
pp. 25-34
Author(s):  
T. M. Bykova ◽  
N. M. Kupriyanova
Keyword(s):  
Middle Ages ◽  
Main Part ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
Ancient World ◽  
National University ◽  
Latin Epigraphy ◽  
History Of ◽  
The University ◽  
Academy Of Sciences

The main purpose of the article is a subject-thematic analysis of the personal book collection of an outstanding Odessa historian-antiquarian, specialist in numismatics, Greek and Latin epigraphy of the Northern Black Sea littoral, Byzantine scholar, brilliant lecturer, professor of Odessa I. I. Mechnikov National University, Head of the Department of History of the Ancient World and the Middle Ages Petr Yosypovych Karyshkovskyi-Ikar (1921–1988) held in the stocks of the Scientific Library. The article tells the story of the delivery of the personal book collection to the Scientific Library of Odessa I. I. Mechnikov National University in 2019. The collection contains 208 units of periodicals, 10 pictorial units, there are also cartographic atlases (6 units). The main part of the collection (1710 units) consists of books on historical sciences mainly on archeology, numismatics, history of the ancient world and Byzantium. Reference editions (38 units) as well as materials of domestic and international conferences (29 units) make an important part of the collection. Special attention is paid to some rare and valuable publications of the first half of the 20th century, such as the Bulletin of the Odessa Commission of Local Lore at the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences and the Chersonese Collection. It can be noted that this collection is of great importance for the research and educational process of the university, as it contains important books on historical and other sciences carefully selected by the owner, as well as foreign scientific literature, which has not been republished and sometimes is not available in Ukrainian libraries. The collection also gives an idea of the range of scientific interests of its owner.

scholarly journals In memoriam: Aina Blinkena (5.09.1929 – 22.11.2017)

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. 297-307
Author(s):  
Ilga Jansone
Keyword(s):  
Social Activity ◽  
State University ◽  
Full Member ◽  
Junior Research ◽  
Research Associate ◽  
Language And Literature ◽  
History Of ◽  
In Memoriam ◽  
The University ◽  
Academy Of Sciences

In memoriam: Aina Blinkena (5.09.1929 – 22.11.2017)Professor Aina Blinkena passed away on 22 November 2017. Upon her graduation from the Latvian State University in 1953, she began working for the Institute of Language and Literature of the Latvian SSR Academy of Sciences (today: the Institute of the Latvian Language of the University of Latvia), which became her only permanent workplace. Starting her work as a junior research associate and later – a deputy director and a full member of the Latvian Academy of Sciences, Aina Blinkena shaped the linguistic thought in Latvia for almost fifty years. Aina Blinkena pursued broad interests in the history of language and linguistics, as well as morphology and syntax. She also devoted attention to the aspects of language culture and terminology. Her most important monographs are Latviešu interpunkcija (Latvian punctuation) and Latviešu rakstības attīstība (The development of written Latvian, co-authored by Anna Bergmane). The output of her lifelong work was collected in two volumes of her studies entitled Caur vārdu birzi (Through the forest of words, 2014, 2017). In recognition of her scholarly work and social activity, Aina Blinkena was awarded the highest Latvian distinction – the Order of the Three Stars. Aina Blinkena (5.09.1929 – 22.11.2017). WspomnienieProfesor Aina Blinkena zmarła 22 listopada 2017 roku. Po ukończeniu studiów na Łotewskim Uniwersytecie Państwowym w 1953 roku, rozpoczęła pracę w Instytucie Literatury i Językoznawstwa Akademii Nauk Łotewskiej Socjalistycznej Republiki Radzieckiej (obecnie Instytut Języka Łotewskiego Łotewskiej Akademii Nauk), z którym pozostała związana przez cały czas pracy naukowej, najpierw na stanowisku asystenta, a później – jako jego wicedyrektor i członek rzeczywisty Łotewskiej Akademii Nauk. Aina Blinkena miała ogromny wpływ na rozwój łotewskiej myśli językoznawczej w ciągu ostatniego półwiecza. Jej szerokie zainteresowania naukowe obejmowały zarówno historię języka i językoznawstwa, jak i morfologię i składnię. Zajmowała się także kwestiami kultury języka oraz terminologią. Najważniejsze monografie Profesor Blinkeny to Latviešu interpunkcija (Interpunkcja łotewska) i Latviešu rakstības attīstība (Rozwój łotewskiego języka pisanego; współautorka: Anna Bergmane). Jej najważniejsze prace ukazały się w dwutomowym wydaniu dzieł zebranych, zatytułowanym Caur vārdu birzi (Przez las słów). W uznaniu jej osiągnięć w pracy naukowej i zaangażowania w działalność społeczną Aina Blinkena została uhonorowana Orderem Trzech Gwiazd, najwyższym łotewskim odznaczeniem państwowym.

scholarly journals XXIII. Observations and experiments on the daily variation of the horizontal and dipping needles under a reduced directive power

1823 ◽  
Vol 113 ◽  
pp. 326-341 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Royal Academy ◽  
Daily Variation ◽  
Daily Change ◽  
Academy Of Sciences ◽  
General Fact

It is now just a century since Mr. Graham discovered the daily change in the variation of the horizontal needle, subse­quent to which time numerous observations have been made on the same subject by Wargentin, Canton, Gilpin, Colonel Beaufoy and others, which have all confirmed, with certain shades of variety, the general fact as first described by the ingenious philosopher above named. The actual daily change however is so small, even in the horizontal needle, that it can only be detected with the most careful observations and with the most delicate instruments; and in the dipping needle that change, if any, is so extremely minute, as hitherto to have escaped observation : for it was only in the year 1820, that the Royal Academy of Sciences of Copenhagen proposed the determination of this motion, on satisfactory experiments, as the prize subject for that year; but the prize, I understand, has never been adjudged, no satisfactory communication having been received.

scholarly journals HISTORY OF ASTRONOMY UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE IAU

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (T29A) ◽  
pp. 196-204
Author(s):  
Rajesh Kochhar ◽  
Xiaochun Sun ◽  
Clive Ruggles ◽  
Juan Antonio Belmonte Avilés ◽  
Brenda Corbin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
First World War ◽  
Second World War ◽  
History Of Astronomy ◽  
World War ◽  
International Astronomical ◽  
The First World War ◽  
History Of ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Second World ◽  
First World

International Astronomical Union was formed after the First World War although it became truly international only after the Second World War. Its Commission 41 on History of Astronomy (C41) was set up in 1948 and in a few years established itself as an active and influential unit. It has the distinction of being a joint Commission, the other partner being International Union of History and Philosophy of Science and Technology (IUHPS). Since IAU is an internationally respected body of professional astronomers, its support for history of astronomy enhances the credibility of the discipline in the eyes of scientists as well as science establishments of individual countries. C41 is committed to advancing objective and rigorous world history of astronomy taking into account all its aspects.

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