Between Theory And Observations: Tobias Mayer'S Explorations Of Lunar Motion, 17511755 (Sources And Studies In The History Of M,Used

Product Description In the 18th century, purely scientific interests as well as the practical necessities of navigation motivated the development of new theories and techniques to accurately describe celestial and lunar motion.'Between Theory and Observations' presents a detailed and accurate account, not to be found elsewhere in the literature, of Tobias Mayer's important contributions to the study of lunar motionincluding the creation of his famous set of lunar tables, which were the most accurate of their time. Review From the reviews:Tobias Mayer, whose work on lunar motion is the subject of this book by Steven Wepster . Wepster provides evidence to show that his work on lunar tables is also based upon Newtons attempts. I think that the only way to gain insight into the intricacies of his lunar tables is to study this unique and interesting book. of interest to historians of mathematics and astronomers. no other book that researches this topic so thoroughly as this one by Stephen Wepster. (Peter Ruane, The Mathematical Association of America, May, 2010)The present study investigates the evolution of Tobias Mayers lunar theory and tables. Mayers technique of adjusting the coefficients of his lunar tables to fit an extensive collection of observational data is examined in detail, and it is clear that his efforts were unprecedented. This volume will be warmly welcomed not only by those who are interested in the historical development of the theory of lunar motion but also by historians of mathematics and astronomy. (William R. Shea, Mathematical Reviews, Issue 2010 j) From the Back Cover In the 18th century purely scientific interests as well as the practical necessities of navigation motivated the development of new theories andtechniquesto accurately describe celestial and lunar motion. Tobias Mayer, a German mathematician and astronomer, was among the most notable scientists of the time in the area of lunar theory.'Between Theory and Observations' presents a detailed and rigorous account of Tobias Mayers work; his famous contribution is his extensive set of lunar tables, which were the most accurate of their time. This bookgives acomplete and accurate account, not to be found elsewhere in the literature, of Tobias Mayer's importantcontributions to the study of lunar motion.The book highlights and examinesthree of Mayer's major achievements: The computational scheme embodied in Mayer's lunar tables is examined and traced back to the scheme of Newton's 1702 lunar theory with its decidedly nondynamical characteristics. Mayer's dynamical lunar theory iscompared to Euler's work in celestial mechanics of the same period. Evidence is presentedrefuting the commonly held opinion that Mayer's lunar theorywas simplya modification of Euler's theory. Mayer'stechnique of adjusting the coefficients of his lunar tablesto fit an extensive collection of observational data is examined in detail. The scale of Mayer's effort was unprecedented and preceded the invention of the least squares method by half a century.This volume is intended for historians of mathematics and/or astronomyas well asanyone interested in the historical development of the theory of lunar motion.