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The Shape and Size of the Earth : A Historical Journey from Homer to Artificial Satellites / by Dino Boccaletti

By: Resource type: Ressourcentyp: Buch (Online)Book (Online)Language: English Series: SpringerLink BücherPublisher: Cham : Springer International Publishing, 2019Description: Online-Ressource (XV, 193 p. 17 illus., 1 illus. in color, online resource)ISBN:
  • 9783319905938
Subject(s): Additional physical formats: 9783319905921 | Erscheint auch als: The shape and size of the earth. Druck-Ausgabe Cham, Switzerland : Springer, 2019. xv, 193 Seiten | Printed edition: 9783319905921 DDC classification:
  • 550
  • 526.1
RVK: RVK: RC 15199LOC classification:
  • QC801-809
DOI: DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-90593-8Online resources: Summary: This book describes in detail the various theories on the shape of the Earth from classical antiquity to the present day and examines how measurements of its form and dimensions have evolved throughout this period. The origins of the notion of the sphericity of the Earth are explained, dating back to Eratosthenes and beyond, and detailed attention is paid to the struggle to establish key discoveries as part of the cultural heritage of humanity. In this context, the roles played by the Catholic Church and the philosophers of the Middle Ages are scrutinized. Later contributions by such luminaries as Richer, Newton, Clairaut, Maupertuis, and Delambre are thoroughly reviewed, with exploration of the importance of mathematics in their geodetic enterprises. The culmination of progress in scientific research is the recognition that the reference figure is not a sphere but rather a geoid and that the earth’s shape is oblate. Today, satellite geodesy permits the solution of geodetic problems by means of precise measurements. Narrating this fascinating story from the very beginning not only casts light on our emerging understanding of the figure of the Earth but also offers profound insights into the broader evolution of human thoughtSummary: 1 The Graeco-Roman World -- 2 The Roman world from the end of the republic to the end of the empire -- 3 The Middle Ages -- 4 From the age of the great transoceanic discoveries to the new measurements of the Earth .90 -- 5 The Figure and the size of the Earth in the XVIII Century -- 6 From the French Revolution to the artificial Satellites -- Epilogue -- The concept of Geoid -- The mathematical Model -- The satellitar GeodesyPPN: PPN: 1028038372Package identifier: Produktsigel: ZDB-2-EES | ZDB-2-SEB | ZDB-2-SXEE
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Reproduktion. (Springer eBook Collection. Earth and Environmental Science)

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