GREAT ASTRONOMERS

Otago Witness, Issue 3523, 20 September 1921, Page 23

GREAT ASTRONOMERS

THEIR LIVES AND ACHIEVEMENTS. A meeting o-f the astronomical branch of the Otago Institute was held at tho Museum on 6th Sc'.tc tuber. Mr R. Gilkison, president of the branch, occupied the chair, 'ihe subject for tlie evening was a lecture by the Rev. A. M. Dalrympie on "Some Great Astronomers: Their Lives and Achievements.” Mr Dalrympie at the outset disclaimed any advanced expert knowledge of astronomy or of mathematics. lie proposed to deal in his paper with astronomers prior to the time of Galileo. lie began by indicating how man first began to di'. ide time according to tho observed motions of the heavenly bodies. We learned from tradition of tlie work of astronomers in Egypt, India, China, and other countries in remote periods, but the first historical records o-f astronomy dated back to the sixth century, B.c. The work of Herodotus and of Hipparchus was described. Hipparchus invented or perfected tlie science of trigonometry, and it was conclusive proof of tlie accuracy of his work that astronomers coming after him could use iiis discoveries to predi-t eclipses correctly. He had no successor of note till the time of Ptolemy of Alexandria whose system held undisputed sway in the middle ages. Notwithstanding its prneli'-al utility up to a certain noint tlie Ptolemaic system was built on a foundation of sand —namely, tho principle of the immobility of the earth and the circling of the heavens round it, ihe beginnings of modern astronomy were associated with tlie name of Copernicus, who was born in Poland in 1473. At Cracow [Jniveisity he acquired a decided taste for mathematics and astronomy, and in later life a large portion of his time was devoted to astronomy. llis instruments were mostly of his own construction and inferior to others he could have obtained, but his was a master mind and he studied intensely the results of the observations of others. It soon became known that lie had arrived at the conclusion that the earth circled round the sun, and it was not only the common, people who poured scorn and ridicule upon iiis ideas. For long he retrained from publishing iris great discovery on account o-f iiis unwiilitigne.-s to disturb the minds of the ecclesiak ics whom lie knew to be wholly dominated by the Ptolemaic system. It was eventually published, hotven r, through the instrumentality of others, though the first copy of it did not reach its author till the very day of hi.- death. 'j he fierce opposition that ii!oi'\.x;id gathered round t ’.e nook was a'niost wholly tee!- -iastical. The life and work of Tycho Brahe was next briefly reviewed. lie spent 21 y .♦ on a well provided i.-land i tao conduct ing studies and observations far exceeding in value those of any previous observer. Neve; tin-lets lie Ik hi that it was contrary to physical law for the earth to move mid lie could not b- licet- that the stars were as far away as tlie Gopernican system demanded. Among those that were attracted to him in his inter life was John Kopier. who became a greater astronomer than his master. Nevertheless, Tycho Brahe was in the front- rank zs a laborious, careful, and judicious obse; ver. Galileo was born in Pisa m 1564, and early showed groat independence of mind and judgment. At £5 iie wan appointed professor of mathematics nr- P’sa (. uivei'i-ity cr, a miserable salary equivalent to about 5s a week, but throe years later he received a liberal appointment at Padua, ul.i-h lie held foible. His introduction of tho telescope secured for him speedily a European reputation. and wirh the aid of tiie telescope ho discovered the mountains cf the moon. He discovered also the satellites of Jupiter and estimated accurately their periods of revolution. This discovery marked a great advance in astronomical science. These and other notable discoveries of the great astronomer brought him into conflict with ecel’tsiastical authorities and moused the bitter enmity particularly of the Jesuits. The Church of Rome became more and ' more alamied at the progress of his learni ing, particularly as he represented the rej volt s.gainst ecclesiastical authority out-ide the spiteie of religion. The Inquisition reported that his doctrines were heretical, and i Jje was formally rebuked and admonished. Eater he published his views in the veiled form of a dialogue between supporters of i the Ploteniaie and Gopernican systems. lie i was summoned before the Inquisition and i convicted of heresy in holding the anti--1 Scriptural belief that; the earth moved, which heresy he was compelled to adjure ana I curse. Tho last, nine years of his life ho t spent in retirement under the close supervision of the agents of tho "Iloly Office. ’ Mr Dalrympie was accorded a hearty vote ; of thanks for his informative address.