A survey of European astronomical tables in the late Middle Ages / by José Chabás and Bernard R. Goldstein.

• Superior document: Time, astronomy, and calendars, v. 2
• Author: Chabás, José, 1948-
• TeilnehmendeR: Goldstein, Bernard R.
• Year of Publication: 2012
• Edition: 1st ed.
• Language: English
• Series: Time, astronomy, and calendars ; v. 2.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (270 p.)
• Notes: Description based upon print version of record.

A Survey of European Astronomical Tables in the Late Middle Ages is a first attempt to classify and illustrate the numerous astronomical tables compiled from about the 10th century to the early 16th century in the Latin West. The compilation of astronomical tables was a major and dynamic intellectual enterprise. These tables respond to a wide variety of astronomical problems and computational needs, and contain a large number of ingenious solutions proposed by astronomers over the centuries. In the absence of algebraic notation and mathematical graphing techniques, a table was often the best way to transmit precise information to the reader. Indeed, an astronomical table is not a just a list of data, but a structured way to present numerical information of astronomical interest. \'...the whole book which is an excellent guide for all those who are interested in the history of medieval European astronomy and, especially, in medieval astronomical tables.\' Julio Samsó, University of Barcelona

Table of Contents

Preliminary Material -- Introduction -- Chapter One Chronology -- Chapter Two Trigonometry and Spherical Astronomy -- Chapter Three Equation of Time -- Chapter Four Precession and Apogees -- Chapter Five Mean Motions and Radices -- Chapter Six Equations -- Chapter Seven True Positions -- Chapter Eight Velocity -- Chapter Nine Latitude -- Chapter Ten Stations and Retrogradations -- Chapter Eleven Visibility of the Moon and the Planets -- Chapter Twelve Parallax -- Chapter Thirteen Syzygies -- Chapter Fourteen Planetary Conjunctions -- Chapter Fifteen Eclipses -- Chapter Sixteen Fixed Stars -- Chapter Seventeen Geographical Lists -- Chapter Eighteen Astrology -- Chapter Nineteen Miscellaneous Tables -- List of Manuscripts -- Bibliography -- Index.