Terrestrial and Celestial Globes Volume 2: Their History and Construction Including a Consideration of their Value as Aids in the Study of Geography and AstronomyStevenson, Edward Luther
History
Terrestrial and Celestial Globes Volume 2: Their History and Construction Including a Consideration of their Value as Aids in the Study of Geography and Astronomy
Stevenson, Edward Luther
Geography -- History; Globes
On his celestial globe, probably issued at the same time as the
terrestrial just referred to, and intended as a companion of the same,
having the same dimensions, we find the following legend: “In hac
coelesti sphaera stellae affixae majore quam hactenus numero ac
accuratiore industria delineantur. Novos Asterismos in philomathēom
gratiam de integro addidi: quae omnia secundum Astronomorum Principis
Tychonis Brahe, ac meam observationem verae suae Longitudinis ac
Latitudinis ad annum Christi 1615 restitui. Petrus Plancius.” “In this
celestial sphere the fixed stars to a greater number than previously and
with more exactness are depicted. I have added for the use of the
student some entirely new star readings according to the prince of
astronomers Tycho Brahe, and also my own observations of their true
latitude and longitude adapting these to the year of Christ 1615. Peter
Plancius.” It then will be noted that the position of the stars located
thereon is computed to the year 1615. In the southern hemisphere is a
portrait of Tycho Brahe with the inscription “D. Tyco Brahe Summ.
Mathematic,” below which is the legend “Tabula continens quantum quovis
proposito anno vel addendum vel demendum sit Lōgitudini affixarum: nam
hae 70 annorum et 5 mensis spacio unicum gradū secundū signorū ordinē,
super Pol. Zod. progrediuntur.” “Table indicating how much for any given
year is to be added to or to be subtracted from the longitude of the
fixed stars. For these in the space of 70 years and 5 months move one
degree reckoned on the signs of the zodiac.” But one pair of Plancius’
globes can now be located, this pair having been acquired a few years
since for the Museo Astronomico of Rome (Fig. 100). They are reported to
be in excellent condition. The spheres are of wood covered with plaster,
having a diameter of about 21 cm., upon which the gores have been
pasted. Wind roses are numerous, from which the usual direction or
loxodromic lines radiate. Ships and sea monsters add to the decoration
of the terrestrial globe map, and the figures of the several
constellations have been artistically drawn. Each globe is furnished
with a wooden base, having its horizon circle supported by four columns
which are joined below by crossbars. Each has a brass meridian circle
within which the globe is adjusted to revolve.
[Illustration: Fig. 100. Terrestrial Globe of Peter Plancius, 1614.]
Fiorini reports information received from Gabriel Marcel of the
Bibliothèque Nationale and Captain F. v. Ortroy that there may be found
in the Stein Museum of Antwerp a terrestrial globe of copper, neither
signed nor dated, but which is thought to be the work of Peter
Plancius.[52] Additional information concerning this globe has not been
obtainable.
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