'Si te omnimoda delectat precisio': early astronomical instruments with scales and the multiple meanings of precision in the sixteenth century.

This paper explores the various meanings of precision during the early modern period in Europe. In contrast with existing literature focused on assessing the precision of early instruments, this study delves into the intended significance of the term 'precision' as understood by historical figures s...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Annals of Science Vol. 81; no. 1/2; pp. 30 - 60
Autor principal: Gessner, Samuel
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: Taylor & Francis Ltd Jan-Apr2024
Materias:
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
fields @attributes:
  recordID: 1
pdfLink:
plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=hlh&AN=175233878&site=ehost-live
header:
  @attributes:
    shortDbName: hlh
    uiTerm: 175233878
    longDbName: Humanities International Complete
    uiTag: AN
  controlInfo:
    bkinfo:
    jinfo:
      jid:
        00033790
        7J1
      jtl: Annals of Science
      issn: 00033790
      maglogo: Y
    pubinfo:
      dt: Jan-Apr2024
      vid: 81
      iid: 1/2
      pid: 377
      pub: Taylor & Francis Ltd
    artinfo:
      ui:
        175233878
        10.1080/00033790.2023.2285845
      ppf: 30
      ppct: 30
      formats:
        fmt:
          – @attributes:
              type: T
          – @attributes:
              type: P
              size: 4.1MB
      tig:
        atl: 'Si te omnimoda delectat precisio': early astronomical instruments with scales and the multiple meanings of precision in the sixteenth century.
      aug:
        au: Gessner, Samuel
        affil: Center for the History of Science and Technology CIUHCT, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
      su:
        History of science
        Natural history
        Astronomical mathematics
        Mathematical instruments
        Sixteenth century
      sug:
        subj:
          History of science
          Natural history
          Astronomical mathematics
          Mathematical instruments
          Sixteenth century
      keyword:
        armillary spheres
        history of astronomy
        mathematical instruments
        Nonius
        Precision
        Tycho Brahe
      ab: This paper explores the various meanings of precision during the early modern period in Europe. In contrast with existing literature focused on assessing the precision of early instruments, this study delves into the intended significance of the term 'precision' as understood by historical figures such as J. Stöffler, P. Nunes or F. Mordente. By analysing a selection of instruments equipped with scales, both in their physical form and as they are described in instrument texts, several facets of precision emerge. Some findings demonstrate that the precision of scales can be enhanced through corrections obtained from tables. In other cases, visual estimation is substituted with a method for obtaining values of multiple sexagesimal places. Furthermore, certain instruments designed to represent theoretical concepts achieve greater precision by incorporating the most intricate details of these notions. This investigation into lesser-known meanings of precision underscores the need of comprehensively exploring the concepts, the practices and the terminology surrounding precision that were in use over the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype: Article
      src: R
    language: English
    refInfo:
    copyright:
      @attributes:
        flag: Y
      custom: Copyright of Annals of Science is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.
      item: Annals of Science
      holder: Taylor & Francis Ltd
      dt:
        @attributes:
          year: 2024
    holdings:
      @attributes:
        islocal: N