The Sixteenth-Century Empirical Disproof of Ptolemaic Geocentrism: Paper II
The standard model of the Universe in the 16th and 17th centuries was a geocentric planetary system imbedded in a homocentric shell that held the stars. In a previous paper, we discussed the book Alae seu Scalae Mathematicae of 1573 in which Thomas Digges laid out his methodology for the measurement of small diurnal parallaxes of celestial objects. Further, we discussed that book’s sequel, the essay A Perfit Description of the Caelestiall Orbes of 1576, in which he claims to disprove the theory that the Earth is the center of the Universe. Here we examine the empirical grounds upon which Digges’ claim rests in order to see whether the data that he might have collected support his claim. The methodology of the present argument is spelled out. We conclude that line-of-sight instruments like cross-staffs cannot account for Digges’ claims, but that the higher resolution offered by telescopes can. The context of Digges’ works is briefly discussed.
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Work Title The Sixteenth-Century Empirical Disproof of Ptolemaic Geocentrism: Paper II Access Creators - Peter D. Usher
- Enrico Massaro
Keyword - Astronomy
- Sixteenth-century
- Thomas Digges
- Parallax
- Heliocentrism
License CC0 1.0 (Public Domain Dedication) Work Type Article Publisher - Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage
Publication Date April 2, 2024 Publisher Identifier (DOI) - https://doi.org/10.3724/SP.J.1440-2807.2024.01.05
Deposited April 03, 2024 Versions
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- The standard model of the Universe in the 16th and 17th centuries was a geocentric planetary system imbedded in a homocentric shell that held the stars. In a previous paper, we discussed the book Alae seu Scalae Mathematicae of 1573 in which Thomas Digges laid out his methodology for the measurement of small diurnal parallaxes of celestial objects. Further, we discussed that book’s sequel, the essay A Perfit Description of the Caelestiall Orbes of 1576, in which he claims to disprove the theory that the Earth is the center of the Universe. Here we examine the empirical grounds upon which Digges’ claim rests in order to see whether the data that he might have collected support his claim. The methodology of the present argument is spelled out. We conclude that line-of-sight instruments like cross-staffs cannot account for Digges’ claims, but that the higher resolution offered by telescopes can. The context of Digges’ works is briefly discussed.
- 2024-04-02
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Usher Massaro Paper II public domain.pdf -
Added Creator Peter D. Usher
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Updated License Show ChangesLicense
- http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/
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Updated Work Title Show ChangesWork Title
THE SIXTEENTH-CENTURY EMPIRICAL DISPROOF OF PTOLEMAIC GEOCENTRISM: PAPER II- The Sixteenth-Century Empirical Disproof of Ptolemaic Geocentrism: Paper II
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Updated Keyword, Publisher, Publisher Identifier (DOI) Show ChangesKeywordPublisher
- Astronomy, Sixteenth-century, Thomas Digges, Parallax, Heliocentrism
Publisher Identifier (DOI)- Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage
- https://doi.org/10.3724/SP.J.1440-2807.2024.01.05
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Added Creator Enrico Massaro