In his Histoire de l’astronomie modern (II, 1785, p. 211), J. Bailly argued that the Jesuit astronomer Riccioli had not understood Kepler’s laws. This has been questioned (Russell 1964) and deserves consideration. Kepler’s astronomy must have been known in Jesuit circles and Riccioli could have studied it. He played a role in the comprehension and dissemination of Kepler’s works, at least in the Italian context. Riccioli seriously discussed Kepler’s Epitome astronomiæ copernicanæ in his Almagestum novum, and he gave Kepler more importance than Copernicus or Galilei. In this paper, we will see how Riccioli understood and used Kepler’s first law. Particularly, Riccioli well explained how Kepler solved the variability of planetary motion and how he described the planetary trajectories by the half division of eccentricity. We will show how Riccioli integrated the ellipse in his geometrical model of cosmos.
Understanding, disseminating, and interpreting Kepler : the role of Giovanni Battista Riccioli and the law of orbits.
MARCACCI F
Writing – Original Draft Preparation
2022
Abstract
In his Histoire de l’astronomie modern (II, 1785, p. 211), J. Bailly argued that the Jesuit astronomer Riccioli had not understood Kepler’s laws. This has been questioned (Russell 1964) and deserves consideration. Kepler’s astronomy must have been known in Jesuit circles and Riccioli could have studied it. He played a role in the comprehension and dissemination of Kepler’s works, at least in the Italian context. Riccioli seriously discussed Kepler’s Epitome astronomiæ copernicanæ in his Almagestum novum, and he gave Kepler more importance than Copernicus or Galilei. In this paper, we will see how Riccioli understood and used Kepler’s first law. Particularly, Riccioli well explained how Kepler solved the variability of planetary motion and how he described the planetary trajectories by the half division of eccentricity. We will show how Riccioli integrated the ellipse in his geometrical model of cosmos.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.