History
The Moon has been observed for millennia. Over these ages, various levels of care and precision have been possible, according to the techniques of observation available at any time. There is a correspondingly long history of lunar theories: it stretches from the times of the Babylonian and Greek astronomers, down to modern lunar laser ranging.
Among notable astronomers and mathematicians down the ages, whose names are associated with lunar theories, are --
- Babylonian/Chaldean:- Naburimannu, Kidinnu, Soudines
- Greek/Hellenistic:- Hipparchus, Ptolemy
- Arab:- Ibn al-Shatir
- European, 16th to early 20th centuries:-
- Tycho Brahe
- Johannes Kepler
- Jeremiah Horrocks
- Bullialdus
- John Flamsteed
- Isaac Newton
- Leonhard Euler
- Alexis Clairaut
- Jean d'Alembert
- Tobias Mayer
- J T Bürg
- P S Laplace
- J K Burckhardt
- P A Hansen
- C Delaunay
- E W Brown
- W J Eckert
- Jean Chapront & Michelle Chapront-Touzé
and other notable mathematical astronomers also made significant contributions, including: Edmond Halley; comte de Pontécoulant; J C Adams; G W Hill; and Simon Newcomb.
The history can be considered to fall into three parts: from ancient times to Newton; the period of classical (Newtonian) physics; and modern developments.
Read more about this topic: Lunar Theory
Famous quotes containing the word history:
“There is no history of how bad became better.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“Three million of such stones would be needed before the work was done. Three million stones of an average weight of 5,000 pounds, every stone cut precisely to fit into its destined place in the great pyramid. From the quarries they pulled the stones across the desert to the banks of the Nile. Never in the history of the world had so great a task been performed. Their faith gave them strength, and their joy gave them song.”
—William Faulkner (1897–1962)
“Man watches his history on the screen with apathy and an occasional passing flicker of horror or indignation.”
—Conor Cruise O’Brien (b. 1917)