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
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