John Flamsteed (Kathye Macias-Ramirez)
John Flamsteed was a leading figure
in astronomy during the rule of King Charles II. Born a sickly child in Denby
“at 7:16pm on the 19 August 1646” to a moderately wealthy family in a two story
house that was later demolished “between 1866-80”. Flamsteed’s father “owned a
lead mine” in a town that was known for its “coal and iron”. His mother died at
the age of 3, and his father remarried to Elizabeth Bate who also left his
father widowed and then lastly to Katherine, in 1654. Flamsteed’s health
problems caused him to experience “chronic arthritis of his knees and ankles,
weakness in his legs, and frequent headaches” signs that today point to
rheumatic fever. Having only attended school until the age of 14, Flamsteed
self taught by “teaching himself Latin and reading mathematical books” both of
which helped him later in life.
During the
rule of Charles II there was an increase in world trade--this trade however was
only possible by sea. There was an understanding of the north and south
latitude that was not there in
longitude--necessary to move east and west. Given the ruler that Charles
II was, he was easily inspired by the action of Louis XIV to “celebrate[ed]
italian astronomer G-D Cassini as Director of the Paris Observatory” and
celebrated Flamsteed by appointing him as the first Astronomer Royal. The Royal
Observatory at Greenwich, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, had to be placed on
royal land and given a set budget. Flamsteed was given €500 and “bricks from Tilbury Fort where
there was a spare stock” the rest had to be provided by Flamsteed himself. He
remained Royal Astronomer from the age of 28 to 72. Today two centuries
later Martin John Rees
continues the fill the position.
Flamsteed’s observations were done with the most modern
of scientific instruments. He was always determined to gather the most accurate
information and looked on ways to improve and perfect. This determination lead
him to find the practicality of combining a telescope to a sextant--which made
the image smaller while still keeping the original appearance. These
observations were also important to Newton who required their calculations for
his own study of the lunar theory. Flamsteed was not willing to publish his unperfected
observations which lead Newton to persuade the “queen to appoint him as
inspector in charge of the Observatory” making Newton, Flamsteed’s boss.
Flamsteed’s observations were then pirated by Edmond Hally who “published 400
copies in 1712”. Later after Flamsteed’s death Edmond Hally received the title
of Astronomer Royal. Hally changed the “names and numbers of stars” and
recalled Flamsteed as “lazy and [a] mediocre astronomer”. It was not until 1725
with the work of “two colleagues, Joseph Crosthwait and Abraham Sharp” and his
wife published his observations.
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