*************************************************************************** * * * ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER FOR THE HISTORY OF ASTRONOMY * * * * Published by the Working Group for the History of Astronomy * * in the Astronomische Gesellschaft * * * * Number 19, April 9, 1997 * * * * A translation of * * * * ELEKTRONISCHE MITTEILUNGEN ZUR ASTRONOMIEGESCHICHTE * * Nr. 19, 19. Dezember 1996 * * * * Edited by: Dr. Wolfgang R. Dick * * * * Translated by: Mr. Donald Bellunduno <76450.1741@CompuServe.COM> * * * *************************************************************************** Contents -------- 1. Armin Huettermann: Tobias Mayer Museum in Marbach am Neckar 2. Thomas Kloeti: A transparent celestial atlas (1826) by Franz Niklaus Koenig 3. Authors for history of science essays needed 4. Request for material on the history of lunar studies 5. Conferences 1997 Imprint ........................................................................... Item 1 ENHA No. 19, April 9, 1997 ........................................................................... Tobias Mayer Museum in Marbach am Neckar ---------------------------------------- By Armin Huettermann, Marbach Tobias Mayer, Marbach's "second most important son" (next to Friedrich Schiller), will be honored in the form of a permanent museum, which will be situated in the house of his birth. The present owner of the house, Prof. Roth, will, after being gone 15 years, leave Marbach. Roth acquired the dilapidated house in 1979 from the city of Marbach, and renovated it considering the rules for preservation of historic buildings. In 1981 he founded the Tobias Mayer Museum Society and was able in the following years to erect a small exhibit on the ground floor commemorating Tobias Mayer. While taking over the house by January 1, 1996, the society can bring to life a plan which it had wished for for years: a museum dedicated to this universal genius of science. Mayer earned a steady reputation working in the fields of mathematics, astronomy, geography, and cartography. Forbes' biography shows that Mayer was not only respected as one amongst many good mathematicians and astronomers of his time, but was considered by Euler to be of oustanding competence, and was numbered by Delambre as one of the greatest astronomers of all times in all lands. He was also noted for being an extraordinary geographer, cartographer, and inventor of scientific instruments. The Tobias Mayer House is described in the list of cultural monuments at the state monument office (Landesdenkmalamt) of Baden-Wuerttemberg as follows: "Built around 1700, former craftsman house; two story, with massive ground floor, that was once comprised of a cartwright's workshop, and half-timbered upper floor. [...] The simple craftsman house, which was built in 1711 for the well attendant and cartwright Tobias Mayer, whose son Tobias Mayer was born here on February 17, 1723. Tobias Mayer was known as mathematician and astronomer especially for the enhancements he made upon astronomical instruments and the development of a method of navigation. As a well preserved minor craftsman house and as the birth house of Tobias Mayer, the building is a cultural monument for both scientific and local heritage reasons; its preservation is of public interest due to its documentary and exemplary worth." After at least one total renovation in the year 1859, and a huge repair job, including a renovation of the cellar (1920-1930?), another thorough renovation started in 1979, along with the set-up of a memorial room on the ground level for Tobias Mayer. Last and not least, on the grounds of his pioneering work he accomplished in the field of ship navigation, and for the solving of certain difficult navigation problems, Tobias Mayer can be seen as a pioneer of modern car piloting and navigation systems. From April 27 to May 21, 1995, an exhibit took place in the town hall in Marbach. The theme: Tobias Mayer - Pionier of positioning - pioneering the way towards modern systems of navigation. This exhibition will also be shown next year in Esslingen and in the Planetarium at Nuremberg. The exhibit also boasts a beautiful catalog (price DM 25.00; can be acquired from the society). After completely acquiring the museum, the Tobias Mayer Museum Society has plans to expand the museum in the house's main floor and add space for upcoming exhibits. The present permanent exhibit, dedicated to Tobias Mayer's life, will be complimented by changing exhibits which will portray different aspects of his life and works, for example, cartography, astronomy, moon maps, instrument making, the art of measurement, the theory of colour, etc. Roth's collection portrays already a basic foundation of his work. The museum should be manned voluntarily (for example, on the first and third Sunday of each month) which will make the house accessable to the general public; at present access is being granted only by appointment. The upper floors of the house will be used as a scientific work area, or rented out to persons working on the same goals as the society; through which the operating costs of the house / museum will be collected. At this time, the society is searching for sponsors, which could finance the buying of the house. In this, the society is getting support from the city and the Mayor of Marbach, Heinz Georg Keppler. (Donation account: No. 309 12 43 at Kreissparkasse Ludwigsburg, BLZ 604 500 50) Suggested reading: Forbes, E.G.: Tobias Mayer (1723-62): Pioneer of enlightened science in Germany. Goettingen 1980 (engl. original), Marbach 1993 (German translation) Roth, E.: Tobias Mayer 1723-1762. Vermesser des Meeres, der Erde und des Himmels. Esslingen in alten und neuen Karten. Esslingen 1985 Anthes, E. et al. (Hrsg.): Tobias Mayer und die Zeit der Aufklaerung. Marbach 1990 Reprints of Mayer's maps by the State Surveying Office (Landesvermessungsamt) of Baden-Wuerttemberg: Circulus Austriacus 1747/1984; Mappierung der Landkarten 1745/1984; Mappa Critica 1750/1987; Circulus Sueviae 1743-48/1989. Editor's notes: This essay appeared in "Mitteilungen zur Astronomiegeschichte" (the German printed version of this newsletter) No. 7, December 1995, p. 1. Since the beginning of the year 1996 the society has been in possession of the birth house of Tobias Mayer. It was bought for DM 350,000 from E. Roth, to which the city of Marbach contributed DM 52,000. A part of the sum was finanzed through an interest free loan with members of the society. The society is therefore interested in donations, in order to offset the credit they have had to take out in order to finance the acquiring of the house. Please contact the society, if you want to either donate funds, or become a member. A list of the deliverable publications (31 in all) can be obtained with the society: Torgasse 13, D-71672 Marbach a. N., Germany, Tel.: (07144) 16942 ........................................................................... Item 2 ENHA No. 19, April 9, 1997 ........................................................................... A transparent celestial atlas (1826) by Franz Niklaus Koenig ------------------------------------------------------------ By Thomas Kloeti, Bern On the occassion of the special exhibit "Sensations: World-Views on the Road" (see WWW page http://www.mso.ch/PTT-Museum/Speciald.htm), reproductions from the 'Atlas celeste' (1826) by Bernese artist Franz Niklaus Koenig are shown from November 23, 1996, to August 24, 1997, in the Swiss PTT Museum (Schweizerisches PTT-Museum) in Bern. The pages of this nearly unknown atlas, as well as the essay "Die Welt, eine Augenweide: Transparente Landschafts- und Sternbilder von Franz Niklaus Koenig" (in German) are available in the exhibit catalog (pgs. 35-40) as well as on through the Internet server of the City and University Library of Bern: http://www.stub.unibe.ch/stub/koenig/koenig.html (essay, in German) http://www.stub.unibe.ch/stub/koenig/celestial.html (pictures, with English text) As fas as I am aware, there were no comparable products at that time. The Bernese professor of mathematics Trechsel wrote in the foreword to the atlas: "King's idea - to have a small celestial atlas for lovers of the knowledge of the stars, which is broken up into several sections, where the fixed stars, from the first to the fifth magnitude, would show up transparently on a black background - is inspired, ingenious, and for the most part, a new concept. It will also receive approval and encouragement from experts and learned men in this field." The purpose of the celestial atlas is well described in the foreword by Prof. Trechsel, who adds that it can also be used for (home) teaching of the young. The sheets may be viewed in reflected or in transmitted light. It is probable that the atlas was also viewed in a peep show box. I assume that King copied from the stellar atlas of Fortin (1776). King compiled different types of his work. Examples may be found in the City and University Library of Bern, in the Museum of Art in Bern, as well as at the ETH Library in Zurich. The Swiss National Library (Schweizerische Landesbibliothek) owns a copy called called "Aestrognosie ..." containing an additional dedication page. I would gladly hear about other copies of this atlas, and how King's celestial atlas is regarded from the point of view of historians of astronomy. Exhibit Catalog: Sensationen. Welt-Schau auf Wanderschaft Kurt Stadelmann (Ed.) Bern: PTT-Museum, 1996. 90 pp. (Schriftenreihe des PTT-Museums) ISBN 3-908231-05-1, Price 20 SFr. including shipping Distribution: PTT-Museum, Helvetiastrasse 16, CH-3000 Bern 6, Switzerland, Fax: ++41 (0)31 338 39 27 Author's address: Dr. Thomas Kloeti Stadt- und Universitaetsbibliothek Bern Sammlung Ryhiner Muenstergasse 61-63 CH-3000 Bern 7 Switzerland Tel. ++41 31 320 32 48 Fax ++41 31 320 32 99 E-Mail: kloeti@stub.unibe.ch URL: http://www.stub.unibe.ch/stub/ryhiner/ryhiner.html ........................................................................... Item 3 ENHA No. 19, April 9, 1997 ........................................................................... Authors for history of science essays needed -------------------------------------------- [Editor's note: This request had been intended for German-speaking readers, since only German manuscripts may be accepted. It appears here only for completeness, because ENHA is a 1:1 translation of EMA, the German original.] Ladies and Gentlemen, The monthly journal "Schweizerische Technische Zeitschrift STZ" is planning starting from May 1997 to add a page dedicated to the history of science or technology. For this, we are searching for competent authors who would like to make a contribution. The content of the contribution have not necessarily to be connected with Switzerland. All themes be it people, institutions, events, or instruments, are admissable subjects, so long as the topic does not be of interest only for a very local place outside Switzerland. The editors have a strong interest, that each contribution is supplemented by an attractive illustration (photo or graph). The authors will be paid an honorary of 150 to 200 Swiss Franks, depending on expenses. I invite all those interested to please get in contact with me. The best to do so is to send me a short email, or post card. Or you can give me a call at: Tel. 07071 - 29 78 605. I look forward to many submissions! With warm wishes! Frank Krull Redaktor STZ Charlottenstr. 11 D-72070 Tuebingen Germany Tel. 07071 - 29 78 605 (university) or 07071 - 44 00 19 (home) e-mail: krull@ait.physik.uni-tuebingen.de ........................................................................... Item 4 ENHA No. 19, April 9, 1997 ........................................................................... Request for material on the history of lunar studies ---------------------------------------------------- A student and I are beginning work on a WWW homepage dealing with the Moon. We want this page to be comprehensive, including information on and links to sites dealing with the history of lunar studies. We would be pleased to receive the URLs for appropriate links and would welcome the loan of any relevant material that could be digitized and added in toto to the site. We will include examples of all historic lunar maps that we can access, references to publications dealing with lunar science and history, a digital atlas of the Moon, a comprehensive bibliography of lunar books, a complete list of all lunar craters with names or diameters >20 km (with depths and diameters), and, hopefully, complete texts of some of the classic selenography books. We welcome all help and suggestions. Thank you, Charles A. Wood -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Charles A. Wood Tel: 701-777-3167; Fax 701-777-3711 Space Studies, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58202-9008, USA Space.Edu: www.space.edu VolcanoWorld: volcano.und.nodak.edu E-mail: cwood@badlands.nodak.edu -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ........................................................................... Item 5 ENHA No. 19, April 9, 1997 ........................................................................... Conferences 1997 ---------------- Further conferences in the year 1997 have already been described in past issues of the ENHA. For a complete list of all conferences announced up to now, please see the following WWW address: http://www.astro.uni-bonn.de/~pbrosche/hist_astr/ha_meet_1997.html An annual "Polish School for the History of Mathematics" is being held in each summer in Poland. Information: Dr. Stanislaw Fudali, Uniwersytet Szczecinski, Instytut Matematyki, ul. Wielkopolska 15, PL-70-451 Szczecin 19 - 20 March 1997, Munich, Germany VIIth Conference on the History of Physics about "100 years of discovery of radioactivity and the electron - the controversal entrance to the microworld", in the framework of the 61th Physicists' Conference of the Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft (German Physical Society) Information: Dr. Dieter Hoffmann, MPI fuer Wissenschaftsgeschichte, Wilhelmstr. 44, D-10117 Berlin, Germany, Tel.: 030/22667-117, Fax: 22667-299, e-mail: dh@mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de 21 - 25 April 1997, Vienna, Austria Symposium "Pioneers in Solar-Terrestrial Physics during the 19th and 20th Centuries", to be held during the Meeting of the European Geophysical Society Deadline for abstracts: 1 December 1996 Convener: Dr. Wilfried Schroeder, Hechelstr. 8, D-28777 Bremen-Roennebeck, Germany 28 May - 1 June 1997, Calw, Germany 4th Meeting of the Section for the History of Mathematics (Fachsektion Geschichte der Mathematik) of the German Mathematical Association (Deutsche Mathematiker-Vereinigung) The cultural programme includes also a visit to the Kepler Museum at Weil der Stadt. Place: Staatliche Akademie fuer Lehrerfortbildung 4-day accomodation (full board and lodging): 300 DM, single-room supplement 20 DM, conference fee 30 DM Registration by Febrary 15, 1997, to: Prof. Dr. Michael von Renteln, Mathematisches Institut I, Universitaet Karlsruhe, Englerstr. 2, D-76128 Karlsruhe, Germany, Tel.: 0721/608-3337 or -2056 (secretarian), Fax: 608-6214 10 - 11 October 1997, Schloss Seggau near Leibnitz (Steiermark), Austria Annual Meeting of the Working Group for Sundials in the Austrian Astronomical Society (Arbeitsgruppe Sonnenuhren im Oesterreichischen Astronomischen Verein) Information: Karl Schwarzinger, Am Tigls 76A, A-6073 Sistrans, Austria, Phone and Fax: 0512 / 37 8 68 ........................................................................... Imprint ------- Electronic Newsletter for the History of Astronomy (ENHA) A translation of "Elektronische Mitteilungen zur Astronomiegeschichte" Published by the Working Group for the History of Astronomy in the Astronomische Gesellschaft Editor: Dr. Wolfgang R. Dick Translated and Co-Edited by: Mr. Donald Bellunduno <76450.1741@compuserve.com> All items without an author's name are editorial contributions. Articles as well as information for the several sections are appreciated. Subscription for ENHA is free. Readers and subscribers are asked for occasional voluntary donations to the working group. Copyright Statement: The Electronic Newsletters for the History of Astronomy may be freely re-distributed in the case that no charge is imposed. Public offer in WWW servers, BBS etc. is allowed after the editor has been informed. Non-commercial reproduction of single items in electronic or printed media is possible only with the editor's permission. The electronic newsletters are complement the printed "Mitteilungen zur Astronomiegeschichte" (in German) which currently appear semi-annually: Price: DM 1.50 / issue plus postage and packing costs outside Germany: free Subscription: Send in DM 2.50 (one issue) or DM 5.00 (Nos. 10-11) in stamps to the editor Editor: Dr. W. R. Dick, Otterkiez 14, D-14478 Potsdam, Germany, Tel.: (+331) 863199 Please ask for a free trial issue. Arbeitskreis Astronomiegeschichte / Working Group for the History of Astronomy: URL: http://www.astro.uni-bonn.de/~pbrosche/aa/aa.html Chairman: Prof. Dr. Peter Brosche, Observatorium Hoher List der Sternwarte der Universitaet Bonn, D-54550 Daun, Germany, Tel.: (+6592) 2150, Fax: (+6592) 985140 Secretary: Dr. Wolfgang R. Dick, Institut fuer Angewandte Geodaesie, Aussenstelle Potsdam, Postfach 60 08 08, D-14408 Potsdam, Germany, Tel.: (+331) 316 618, E-mail: wdi@potsdam.ifag.de Bank Acct. of the Working Group of the Astronomische Gesellschaft: Acct # 333 410 41, Sparkasse Bochum (BLZ 430 500 01) Contributions from foreign countries: acct # 162 18-203, Postgiroamt Hamburg, BLZ 200 400 20 Please sign with: "Fuer Arbeitskreis Astronomiegeschichte" ***************************************************************************