Philosophy
What is a planisphere..."...a star chart analog computing instrument in the form of two adjustable disks that rotate on a common pivot. It can be adjusted to display the visible stars for any time and date. It is an instrument to assist in learning how to recognize stars and constellations."
How to use...and how to make...
And from Bill Ashworth in the Linda Hall Library Newsletter...
Philippe La Hire, a French astronomer and mathematician, was born Mar. 18, 1640. In 1705, La Hire published two large celestial planispheres, or circular maps of the stars and constellations. The circumstances behind these maps are quite obscure. We don't know how La Hire compiled the data for the charts, and whether he had a role in designing the constellation figures. He well could have drawn them himself, since he was the son of a prominent artist, and trained as an artist as a young man. But the legend on the charts says they were "mis au jour," or "brought into the light," by Nicolas de Fer, as if they had been lying in some dark cupboard awaiting discovery. De Fer was a prominent engraver and cartographer, so he may have had a role he had in designing the charts—we just don’t know. But whatever their origin, they are gorgeous.
Go to
Philippe de La Hire
- Aboriginal Astronomy
[See below] "The world's first astronomers" by Louise Merrillees August 17th, 2012 ABC NewsAs the world's oldest continuous culture, Aboriginal people can make the claim to be the world's first astronomers.For them, gazing at the stars is...
- Halloween Treats From Space
Black Widow Nebula In the constellation Circinus, where previous visible-light observations see only a faint hourglass-shaped patch of obscuring dust and gas, NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope's dust-piercing eyes see a big "Black Widow Nebula"...
- Do You Have A Few Extra £s For Some Old Star Charts?
"World's oldest star charts up for auction" Woodcut prints created by German artist Albrecht Dürer and two astronomers expected to fetch up to £180,000 at Sotheby's sale by Maev Kennedy March 21st, 2011 guardian.co.uk The oldest printed star...
- "constellation" Poll
Paradise Lost Book vii. Line 577 John Milton 1608-1674 "A broad and ample road, whose dust is gold, And pavement stars,-as stars to thee appear Seen in the galaxy, that milky way Which nightly as a circling zone thou seest Powder’d with stars." ...
- Vintage Star Atlases, Charts, And Maps
If you are interested in looking at Linda Hall Library's electronic collection of vintage star atlases, charts, and maps, then go to Linda Hall Library ....
Philosophy
Planisphere...a must have tool for star gazing
What is a planisphere..."...a star chart analog computing instrument in the form of two adjustable disks that rotate on a common pivot. It can be adjusted to display the visible stars for any time and date. It is an instrument to assist in learning how to recognize stars and constellations."
How to use...and how to make...
And from Bill Ashworth in the Linda Hall Library Newsletter...
Philippe La Hire, a French astronomer and mathematician, was born Mar. 18, 1640. In 1705, La Hire published two large celestial planispheres, or circular maps of the stars and constellations. The circumstances behind these maps are quite obscure. We don't know how La Hire compiled the data for the charts, and whether he had a role in designing the constellation figures. He well could have drawn them himself, since he was the son of a prominent artist, and trained as an artist as a young man. But the legend on the charts says they were "mis au jour," or "brought into the light," by Nicolas de Fer, as if they had been lying in some dark cupboard awaiting discovery. De Fer was a prominent engraver and cartographer, so he may have had a role he had in designing the charts—we just don’t know. But whatever their origin, they are gorgeous.
Go to
Philippe de La Hire
- Aboriginal Astronomy
[See below] "The world's first astronomers" by Louise Merrillees August 17th, 2012 ABC NewsAs the world's oldest continuous culture, Aboriginal people can make the claim to be the world's first astronomers.For them, gazing at the stars is...
- Halloween Treats From Space
Black Widow Nebula In the constellation Circinus, where previous visible-light observations see only a faint hourglass-shaped patch of obscuring dust and gas, NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope's dust-piercing eyes see a big "Black Widow Nebula"...
- Do You Have A Few Extra £s For Some Old Star Charts?
"World's oldest star charts up for auction" Woodcut prints created by German artist Albrecht Dürer and two astronomers expected to fetch up to £180,000 at Sotheby's sale by Maev Kennedy March 21st, 2011 guardian.co.uk The oldest printed star...
- "constellation" Poll
Paradise Lost Book vii. Line 577 John Milton 1608-1674 "A broad and ample road, whose dust is gold, And pavement stars,-as stars to thee appear Seen in the galaxy, that milky way Which nightly as a circling zone thou seest Powder’d with stars." ...
- Vintage Star Atlases, Charts, And Maps
If you are interested in looking at Linda Hall Library's electronic collection of vintage star atlases, charts, and maps, then go to Linda Hall Library ....