Unraveling the Pivotal Role: The Telescope and the Century-Defining Scientific Breakthroughs of the 17th Century
In the 17th century, astronomical telescopes were long and cumbersome, often reaching lengths of around 15 meters. Yet, the process of expanding our knowledge about the celestial bodies continued, propelled by increasingly powerful instruments.
One such instrument was the Hubble Space Telescope, launched in 1990, capable of capturing images far into deep space, operating beyond the optical impediment of Earth's atmosphere. Its images have allowed us to witness events in space that occurred long before the first human ever gazed at the skies and wondered at the mysteries of the universe.
Purpose-built observatories housed these telescopes, and governments often funded national observatories to provide better charts and answer practical navigational problems. In the 1670s, an English astronomer and mathematician named Edmond Halley made significant strides in this area. Halley, who was born on the 8th of November in 1656 and passed away on the 14th of January in 1742, set up an observatory on the island of St. Helena in the South Atlantic.
Halley's work on St. Helena was instrumental in the creation of the first star chart of the Southern Hemisphere based on telescopic observations. He undertook a journey to St. Helena from 1676 to 1678 to measure the positions of stars in the southern sky. His observations greatly contributed to the creation of this star chart.
Halley was a significant figure in the science of his time, making important contributions in many fields. His work on St. Helena significantly improved our understanding of the stars in the southern sky.
In the same era, advancements in telescope technology continued. Double telescopes were invented, allowing two observers to view the same object. Lenses made of different types of glass reduced the problem of chromatic aberration in the 18th century. The reflecting telescope, which could be made smaller than a refracting telescope, was invented by Isaac Newton in 1668.
Gian Domenico Cassini, an Italian astronomer, used a telescope to spot four moons of Saturn and identify the spaces between the rings of that planet. Micrometers were added to telescopes for taking more precise measurements, especially of angles.
Binoculars, which provided a more steady hold and a three-dimensional view, became common in the 19th century. Despite the advancements, the process of increasing knowledge about the heavenly bodies using ever-more powerful instruments continues to this day.
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