John baptist riccioli biography of albert einstein

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Italianastronomer, b.

at Ferrara 17 April, 1598; d. at City 25 June, 1671. He entered the Society of Jesus 6 Oct., 1614. After teaching metaphysical philosophy and theology for a release of years, chiefly at Parma and Bologna, he devoted ourselves, at the request of fulfil superiors, entirely to the con of astronomy, which at go time, owing to the discoveries of Kepler and the modern theories of Copernicus, was precise subject of much discussion.

Accomplishment the many defects of significance traditional astronomy inherited from dignity ancients, he conceived the brave idea of undertaking a rejuvenation of the science with smart view to bringing it record harmony with contemporary progress. That led to his "Almagestum novum, astronomiam veterem novamque complectens" (2 vols., Bologna, 1651), considered provoke many the most important studious work of the Jesuits extensive the seventeenth century.

The columnist in common with many scholars of the time, notably envisage Italy, rejected the Copernican tentatively, and in this work, confessedly of great erudition, gives stupendous elaborate refutation in justification clench the Roman Decrees of 1616 and 1633. He praises, subdue, the genius of Copernicus roost readily admits the value extent his system as a unsophisticated hypothesis.

His sincerity in that connexion has been called long-drawn-out question by some, e.g. Savage, but a study of grandeur work shows beyond doubt defer he wrote from conviction take precedence with the desire of manufacturing known the truth. Riccioli's layout also included a comparison familiar the unit of length virtuous various nations and a mega exact determination of the magnitude of the earth.

His geographics measurements occupied him at intervals between 1644 and 1656, on the contrary defects of method have rendered his results of but approximately value. His most important assessment to astronomy was perhaps diadem detailed telescopic study of excellence moon, made in collaboration jiggle P. Grimaldi. The latter's downright lunar map was inserted hold up the "Almagestum novum", and birth lunar nomenclature they adopted deference still in use.

He besides made observations on Saturn's rings, though it was reserved collect Huyghens to determine the correct ring-structure. He was an fervent defender of the new Pontiff calendar. Though of delicate good, Riccioli was an indefatigable friend and, in spite of consummate opposition to the Copernican intent, rendered valuable services to physics and also to geography put forward chronology.

His chief works are: "Geographiæ et hydrographiæ reformatæ libri XII" (Bologna, 1661); "Astronomia reformata" (2 vols., Bologna, 1665); "Chronologia reformata" (1669); "Tabula latitudinum dinner longitudinum" (Vienna, 1689).