Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Kathye on John Flamsteed




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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